As we approach 2025, we are also approaching a new government administration. As an institution committed to serving refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, at Harborview Medical Center we are acutely aware that these upcoming changes may have a direct impact on a great proportion of our diverse patient community.
To our healthcare providers: we anticipate that your patients may have questions and concerns, and that you may have questions and concerns about how to best serve your patients. We encourage and welcome your anonymous questions, requests, and ideas here.
You may be wondering:
- Is my patient’s information (e.g. country of birth, immigration status) confidential?
- Is ICE allowed in the hospital?
- What policy changes will impact my patients’ access to care?
- What resources can I give to my patients and their families?
While there are many unknowns about what will happen in the coming weeks and months, we are committed to keeping you in the loop and to answer as many questions as we can as the situation evolves.
- We encourage you to keep an eye on the EthnoMed Immigration page and subsequent Immigration Quarterly Updates, where we report an overview of National/Policy, Washington State, and other topics of interest related to current immigration statistics and policies
- Join Harborview’s Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council by emailing Bayle Conrad . This group convenes bi-monthly to discuss issues pertaining to refugee and immigrant patients at Harborview. The next scheduled meeting is on January 14th at noon.
You may find these other local resources helpful as well:
- Election Stress and Discriminatory Rhetoric-CARRE: While the election has passed, many parts of this resource from CARRE remain relevant. This document provides tips in psychological first aid to respond to those experiencing stress/fear around immigration policy changes.
- Mental Health Resources for Undocumented People: Created by Immigrants Rising, this website compiles mental health resources available for undocumented communities nationwide.
As always, if you have a community resource to suggest for EthnoMed, please do not hesitate to contact us . We thank you for the care and service you provide to our refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities.