There have been so many issues and concerns as we look to care for children who have been devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.
It is our understanding the "adoptive" parents are required to sign an agreement accepting full responsibility for the care of their Haitian children from the time they arrive in the US (and therefore before the adoption is finalized). These children (from Haiti) that need to be seen for healthcare are in the protected status of a Parolee and/or Refugee. The children are eligible for all federal benefits allowable to parolees, but since these benefits are mean-tested, the "adoptive" parental income will likely exclude them from those benefits. However, the refugee health assessment available through the Refugee Health Assessment Provider program can be accessed free of charge for these children, as long as the assessment takes place within the first 90 days of arrival and prior to any official determination of Medicaid eligibility. The major reason the health assessment is authorized prior to the Medicaid determination is to ensure new arrivals are provided a prompt and thorough screening to rule out issues of public health concern. This is of significant concern for the Haitian children, as they left the country without the pre-arrival medical screening normally required for entrance to the US.
If you have any questions about the Refugee Health Assessment program, please call the NYSDOH Bureau of Tuberculosis Control at (518)474-4845.
Please see the link below for Refugee Health Assessment Providers.
- After the Haiti Earthquake - Illnesses
- People Adopting Children from Haiti
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