Women

Unfortunately, there are few affordable health care options for low-income, undocumented people—particularly at the federal level.

Though any person in the United States is eligible for Emergency Medicaid regardless of citizenship status, this program only requires hospitals to stabilize patients who are in critical condition—conventional treatment options are not covered under this option.

One possible option for underserved, undocumented women could be access to care through the Hill-Burton program. Started in 1946, the federal government began to pay for development/re-development costs of certain hospitals throughout the country; in exchange, those hospitals have agreed to provide free or reduced-cost care to a certain number of patients per year. Now about 200 Hill-Burton obligated facilities remain throughout the country. Importantly, these hospitals do not look to immigration status when determining eligibility. To find a Hill-Burton obligated facility near you, go to: http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/

In addition to Hill-Burton facilities, some undocumented patients may be able to receive treatment at community health facilities—but this is going to vary based upon the geographic region. Finally, some (but not all) states have extended certain state programs to undocumented individuals that meet other eligibility criteria: for example, in California, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP—available at: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/BCCTP.aspx) is available to anyone, regardless of immigration status. Unfortunately, there are few affordable health care options for low-income, undocumented people—particularly at the federal level.

Though any person in the United States is eligible for Emergency Medicaid regardless of citizenship status, this program only requires hospitals to stabilize patients who are in critical condition—conventional treatment options are not covered under this option.

One possible option for underserved, undocumented women could be access to care through the Hill-Burton program. Started in 1946, the federal government began to pay for development/re-development costs of certain hospitals throughout the country; in exchange, those hospitals have agreed to provide free or reduced-cost care to a certain number of patients per year. Now about 200 Hill-Burton obligated facilities remain throughout the country. Importantly, these hospitals do not look to immigration status when determining eligibility. To find a Hill-Burton obligated facility near you, go to: http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/

In addition to Hill-Burton facilities, some undocumented patients may be able to receive treatment at community health facilities—but this is going to vary based upon the geographic region. Finally, some (but not all) states have extended certain state programs to undocumented individuals that meet other eligibility criteria: for example, in California, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP—available at: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/pages/BCCTP.aspx) is available to anyone, regardless of immigration status.

The natural form of folic acid (folate) is not absorbed in the body as well as the man made form of Folic acid, therefore the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends these daily requirements of man made Folic Acid for women:
- women in the childbearing years should take 400-800 micrograms of Folic acid daily.
- older women (not able to get pregnant) should take 400 micrograms of Folic Acid daily.

It is important for women's health to meet the daily requirements of Folic Acid. Folic acid helps women to stay healthy, aids in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, as well as protects against birth defects. Folate or folacin is a member of the family of B vitamins and it is Vitamin B9. Folate comes from green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains. The natural form of folic acid (folate) is not absorbed in the body as well as the man made form of Folic acid, therefore the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends these daily requirements of man made Folic Acid for women:
- women in the childbearing years should take 400-800 micrograms of Folic acid daily.
- older women (not able to get pregnant) should take 400 micrograms of Folic Acid daily.

It is important for women's health to meet the daily requirements of Folic Acid. Folic acid helps women to stay healthy, aids in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, as well as protects against birth defects. Folate or folacin is a member of the family of B vitamins and it is Vitamin B9. Folate comes from green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains.