In this qualitative study, authors aim to examine how mis- and disinformation about the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility final rule ("public charge rule") influences health care access for Latino immigrants in California. Between May 2024 and April 2025, primary data were collected from 32 interviews (38 participants) with healthcare and community-based organizational leaders serving Latino immigrants in California.

Findings: Participants identified the public charge rule as a significant barrier to health care access for Latino immigrants. The policy has discouraged many Latinos from accessing public benefits, particularly the state's Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In addition, immigrants' trusted sources of information (e.g., family, friends, and attorneys) were often misinformed about the policy, which amplified confusion and fear. Organizations respond by providing accurate information and connecting individuals with reliable resources to clarify that using public benefits would not necessarily result in being classified as a public charge. However, most efforts focused on education rather than directly countering mis- and disinformation. 

The Latino Climate and Health Dashboard is a digital resource that provides county-specific fact sheets illustrating how Latino neighborhoods (has 70% or more Latino residents) in the state face heightened health and environmental risks. Each county has fact sheets on two topics: heat exposure and air pollution. Data for Latino neighborhoods is compared with data for non-Latino white neighborhoods (has 70% or more white residents).  

Heat exposure data include county-level demographic information that influences heat exposure and neighborhood information on recent (2018–2022) and projected (2035–2064) data on extreme heat days; barriers from or contributors to heat exposure; and vulnerable groups.  

Air pollution data include county-level demographic information that influences air pollution exposure and neighborhood information on exposure (2015–2017) to fine air particulate matter (PM 2.5) and diesel emissions; proximity to major air pollution sources, vehicle and traffic types; and vulnerable groups. 

This data brief highlights key facts about CalFresh enrollees and examines the broader health implications of reducing funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); particularly, how proposed federal SNAP cuts threaten food access for millions of Californians and disproportionately impact Latino communities. The analysis draws on data from UCLA LPPI’s Latino Data Hub (LDH), which incorporates data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is also presented to provide additional insights.

Findings:  

• Nearly half (48%) of low-income Latino adults in California experience food insecurity. Research links food insecurity to poorer health outcomes and reduced ability to access care, impacts that CalFresh and Medi-Cal help mitigate.
• Latinos make up 55% of CalFresh participants statewide, underscoring the importance of the program to the state’s plurality.
• Among working-age Latino CalFresh enrollees (ages 18–64), 69% participate in the labor force — the highest rate compared to enrollees of other racial and ethnic groups. These data highlight that CalFresh is a critical support for working families, not just the unemployed.
• Children (ages 0–17) make up 40% of Latino CalFresh enrollees, compared to a statewide average of 33%, highlighting the program’s importance for child nutrition in California’s young Latino population.
• More than 3 million Californians are dually enrolled in both CalFresh and Medi-Cal, including 1.8 million Latinos. This high overlap  shows how CalFresh reduces financial strain and improves health access for families already facing structural barriers.

Authors aim to qualitatively assess the experiences that English and Spanish-speaking patients with Medicaid managed care encounter when scheduling a first-time primary care appointment, with a preference for telehealth, in the Los Angeles (LA), Houston and New York (NY) Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Primary care offices were randomly selected to participate in this qualitative mystery shopper study. Two researchers listened and transcribed real-time calls between the mystery shopper patients and the receptionists at the primary care offices. Data collection occurred between April 8, 2024, and April 26, 2024.

Findings: Spanish-speaking patients who call to schedule a first-time primary care appointment are more likely to experience call transfers, be told to call back later, and encounter more telephone hang-ups, compared to English-speaking patients. Telehealth for first-time appointments is uncommon and typically available only under special circumstances, including COVID-19, medication refills, test result reviews, and for chronically ill populations.

This study shows disparities in access to care between English and Spanish-speaking patients at the time of scheduling a first-time appointment, highlighting an important point for future intervention.