10/16/2026
These are IFM's patients. We care for hundreds of uninsured immigrant/refugee men, women, and children each year at our network of partner clinics throughout the region. Because we are not federally funded, we rely on support from those who believe health care should be affordable and accessible for all. Help us continue to serve as the safety net to the safety net for health care in St. Louis with a donation to support IFM!
Thousands of immigrants, asylum seekers, temporary protected status holders, humanitarian parolees and refugees in Missouri lost their Medicaid benefits on Oct. 1 under the federal H.R. 1 law, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Leaders at immigrant organizations in the St. Louis region say people are suffering without the benefits because they can no longer afford to pay for life-saving healthcare services.
The International Institute of St. Louis said its leaders immediately noticed the change. Since Oct. 1, the organization has received dozens of concerning calls about upcoming doctor’s visits and treatment plans from people who don’t have permanent residency but are legally allowed to work in the country. Others were stressed about prescription refills for chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes.
Families are taking risks with their health now, and the loss of benefits has become a health crisis, said Blake Hamilton, president of the International Institute of St. Louis.
Read more below. ⬇️
