The need to protect older immigrants' health in a changing policy landscape

There are approximately 8.6 million foreign-born older adults (aged 50 and older) in the United States. As immigrants age and transition from the labor force to retirement, maintaining their health and accessing to health care are major concerns. This study reports the extent to which older immigrants face barriers to care.

This study uses 2019-2023 data from the National Health Interview Survey to determine whether foreign-born older adults have poor health status and face greater barriers to health care than native-born older adults.

We find that older foreign-born adults who are not US citizens are more likely to face challenges accessing health care. While they are less likely to report that they in fair or poor health, they are more likely to have not seen a doctor within the past year, not have a usual source care, and are more worried about paying for care if they become ill.

These problems will likely worsen under current legislation, such as the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law, which enacted more exclusions to health insurance eligibility for certain immigration statuses. We offer recommendations that could help maintain access to care in the current political climate.