What the Health? From KFF Health News The Hazards of ICE for Public Health
Jan 29, 2026
Alice Miranda Ollstein, Politico health policy reporter who tracks federal regulation and political influence. Maya Goldman, Axios health reporter who explains how federal actions affect care delivery. They discuss how immigration enforcement is disrupting hospitals and patient access. They cover stalled spending fights tied to enforcement funding. They flag federal moves that pause grants, restrict research funding, and ripple through public health.
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ICE Shootings Upend Appropriations
- The killing of Alex Preddy and other incidents derailed Senate support for the Homeland Security spending bill and stalled broader appropriations.
- That delay threatens passage of health-related provisions bundled in the package, like PBM reform and telehealth extensions.
Document And Report ICE Interference
- Hospitals and clinicians should document any ICE interactions that impede care and report them to professional groups.
- Use AMA statements and press events to raise institutional concerns and seek policy protections.
ICE Activity Harms Patient Care
- ICE presence in and around hospitals is deterring patients from seeking care and intimidating staff, harming public health.
- Physicians report patients avoiding even telehealth over surveillance fears, and agents sometimes impede care.