Nancy Hernandez delivers food and provides counseling to people in need at her office along Nebraska Avenue. Twice a week, families wait patiently in their vehicles. Many arrive two hours early. Some walk there.
Hernandez, founder of the local nonprofit Mujeres Restauradas por Dios, or Women Restored by God, is planning to take on another commitment during an uncertain time: opening a community health center to provide free and basic medical services to those who are vulnerable and uninsured.
“Many people are desperately seeking this help, especially now that things have become more difficult in Florida with the new immigration law,” said Hernandez.
Senate Bill 1718 was approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May. The legislation, which took effect on July 1, is considered among the nation’s toughest crackdowns on illegal immigration. DeSantis and other Republican officials claimed that the new law would restore confidence.
Among other provisions, the law requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask about patients’ immigration status during the admissions process. Local hospitals have assured that this information will not affect their care, or result in a report to immigration authorities.
But immigrants without proper documents are afraid to go to the hospital due to this provision, said Hernandez, and don’t want to take a risk, even when the person can decline to answer that question.
Hernandez is planning to open her community clinic...
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