SILVER SPRING, Md. — HIAS stands in solidarity with refugees and asylees across the United States who this week will lose access to Medicaid and other critical federal benefits under H.R.1, formerly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was signed in July, 2025.
Beginning October 1, H.R.1 will restrict eligibility for federal insurance programs for many categories of individuals with temporary or permanent lawful status. This includes federally funded Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for which refugees and asylees have been losing access over the course of the year, often as it comes up for recertification. For HIAS clients, this means losing access to support for their basic needs, as they rebuild their lives after fleeing persecution and violence.
“Every day, we see the extraordinary determination of refugees and asylees who are rebuilding their lives in this country,” said Sheri Laigle, HIAS Director of Social Services. “They are working, caring for their families, learning a new language and trying to build a future after experiences most of us cannot imagine. Losing access to healthcare will have a devastating impact on our clients and on the communities they are working so hard to build.”
As an organization that serves both resettled refugees and asylees, HIAS sees these impacts firsthand. Amongst our clients who will lose health insurance this week are an individual who is in recovery from a recent open-heart surgery, a client on dialysis, and many children.
While HIAS is working to support clients in securing green cards, we are also aware that the Trump administration has dramatically slowed the processing of such applications, which in most cases are now taking years to adjudicate. This creates a significant gap for many people in accessing support.
“The United States has a long-standing legacy of welcome for victims of violence and persecution,” said Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, HIAS Director of Policy & Advocacy. “We see this action as part of an assault on this legacy, just one attack out of many on the most vulnerable in our society.”
HIAS will continue to do all we can to stand with our clients across the country, and to advocate for their rights and protection.
Refugees and asylees can find information and resources on the impact of the H.R.1 here.
Experts and advocates are available to speak to media. For press inquiries, contact media@hias.org
