California Medical Association (CMA) President Peter N. Bretan, M.D., issued the following statement in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump Administration's "public charge" rule to take effect:

"The California Medical Association remains steadfast in our opposition to the Trump Administration’s public charge rule because it targets immigrant families, jeopardizes public health and will deter millions of people from receiving critical health care services. Of particular concern is the effect that the rule could have on children’s health. If parents are fearful that utilizing health care services could jeopardize their immigration status meaning, families might forgo critical and potentially lifesaving care. Additionally, the lack of needed vaccinations will contribute disease outbreaks in all segments of the population.
 
"This rule will have a dramatic impact in our state. More than 10 million immigrants call California home and half of all children in the state having an immigrant parent. We should be working together to find ways to make care more affordable and more accessible to all Californians.”