NYC Health Department, NYC Health + Hospitals, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Release ‘Open Letter to Immigrant New Yorkers’ Promoting Health Care Access
Letter affirms New York City’s commitment to serving immigrant New Yorkers’ health needs and protecting their privacy
All New Yorkers are encouraged to access the City’s public health care services regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, or English proficiency
March 14, 2025 — Today the NYC Health Department, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs today released a joint letter, entitled ‘Open Letter to Immigrant New Yorkers,’ detailing the City health care services available to all New Yorkers, the protections afforded to those seeking care, and encouraging all immigrant New Yorkers and their families to seek care without fear. NYC Health + Hospitals public hospitals and health centers are located city-wide, and patients can also utilize the Virtual ExpressCare service to access care from anywhere. The NYC Health Department provides health care services at its eight sexual health, immunization, and tuberculosis clinics and three Neighborhood Health Action Centers located in Brooklyn, East Harlem, and the Bronx. Together, the agencies highlight their unwavering commitment to health care access, regardless of ones’ immigration status, ability to pay, or English proficiency. New Yorkers are encouraged to share the letter widely. The letter is available on the NYC Health Department website here.
Read the letter below:
Open Letter to Immigrant New Yorkers
MARCH 2025
In New York City you have a right to health care, regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Health care is so important and we want you to get the care you need before you get sick or have an emergency. You should not be afraid to go to the doctor, the community health center, or the hospital. Our doctors, nurses, and other health care workers care about you. Many are immigrants themselves who come from the communities they serve and speak your language. We are all here for you.
NYC Health + Hospitals runs the City’s 11 public hospitals, five nursing homes, and neighborhood Gotham Health Centers in every borough. The NYC Health Department operates the City’s sexual health, immunization, and tuberculosis clinics and Neighborhood Health Action Centers. Our health centers and hospitals have a long and proud history of caring for everyone. No exceptions.
We respect your privacy. When you visit our health care facilities, you are not required to share information about your immigration status to receive care. We only release patient information with your consent or if authorized or required to do so by law.
Here are a few things you should know about seeking care in New York City:
- Regardless of immigration status or income, all children, people who are pregnant, and adults ages 65 and older can get health insurance. Our staff is available to help you sign up, including helping you understand what personal information you need to complete the paperwork. To learn more, visit: nychealthandhospitals.org/paying-for-your-health-care.
- If you cannot receive or afford health insurance, you may be eligible for NYC Care, the City’s low- or no-cost health care access program. Visit nyccare.nyc to learn more.
- NYC Health + Hospitals partners with IDNYC, the New York City government identification card available to everyone. IDNYC is an accepted form of identification for patients that can be used during NYC Health + Hospitals registration and check-in. IDNYC can also be used to get prescription drug discounts and access your vaccine records. Go to nyc.gov/idnyc to learn more.
- In addition, other City services are available to you, including food, education, legal services, public safety, and more. We encourage immigrant New Yorkers to seek out important New York City government resources and information that are available to them and their families. Visit nyc.gov/immigrants to access the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ immigrant resource guide.
Where You Can Get Care
NYC Health + Hospitals public hospitals and health centers are located in neighborhoods all over New York City and can provide services in your language. Go to healthandhospitals.org/locations to find a location near you. At all our locations, you can access free interpretation services in over 200 languages, 24/7. We also offer translated materials in the top 13 languages most commonly spoken by our patients to ensure we can answer any questions you have.
NYC Health Department sexual health, immunization, and tuberculosis clinics are found in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, and the Neighborhood Health Action Centers are located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Go to nyc.gov/health to find our locations. Our clinics host a variety of services, programs, and activities in multiple languages.
Call 311 for a list of all public hospitals and health centers, to find out more information about resources such as NYC Care and IDNYC, or to send a message to NYC Health + Hospitals, the NYC Health Department, or the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
It is our mission to empower every New Yorker — without exception — to live their healthiest life possible.
Mitchell Katz, MD President and CEO NYC Health + Hospitals
Michelle Morse, MD, MPH Acting Health Commissioner NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Manuel Castro, MPA Commissioner NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
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#006-2025
MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov