Pallone Demands Answers from HHS on Its Ability to Care for Children in Custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2018


“I am extremely troubled by reports that ORR is considering housing them in ‘tent cities’ at military bases in Texas”

Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar expressing grave concerns about the health and safety of children in the custody of HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). ORR is the department responsible for caring for children who enter the United States without immigration status and parent or legal guardians to care for or take custody of them.

The letter comes as the number of children in the custody of ORR has reportedly surged in recent weeks due to the Trump Administration’s recently-implemented “zero tolerance” policy forcibly separating all minors, including very young children, from their family members. Amid the influx of children in ORR’s custody, new reports claim ORR is considering housing children in “tent cities” on military bases in Texas.

“I have serious questions about ORR’s ability to care for these children. In particular, I am extremely troubled by reports that ORR is considering housing them in ‘tent cities’ at military bases in Texas.” Pallone wrote to Azar. “These children are exceptionally vulnerable, and may suffer irreparable harm, in addition to the trauma they have already suffered, if they are not cared for properly.”

Reports indicate that HHS shelters are currently operating at 95 percent capacity, housing as many as 11,200 children – a sharp increase from 8,886 in April of this year – and it is unclear whether HHS has adequate staff and resources to provide necessities, such as routine medical and dental care, to all children in its custody.

Pallone is also particularly concerned about the welfare of the very young children in custody who have been separated from their parents and whether ORR shelters are equipped to care for their needs, the amount of time children are being held in Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) holding stations, and whether ORR is holding all children in “the least restrictive setting that is in the best interest of the child,” as it is required by law to do.

Pallone is requesting a briefing from HHS for Committee staff no later than June 21, 2018 to explain how the Department is addressing the multitude of custody issues arising from ORR’s involvement in the matter, and a response to a series of questions by July 5, 2018, including:

• Did the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security consult with ORR or perform any analysis of ORR’s ability to absorb additional child migrants prior to implementation of the “zero-tolerance” policy? If so, please provide copies of this analysis.
• How does ORR track the minors in its care?
• Does ORR currently have sufficient supplies and employees or contractors available to care for the physical needs of all very young children in its custody?
• How does ORR track children released to sponsors to ensure that they may be reunited with their parents or guardians when those parents or guardians are released from custody?
• Has ORR delayed accepting children into its custody from CBP for any reason, including the availability of shelter beds or capacity? If so, how many children have been impacted?
• According to reports, a substantial number of children who were previously held in secure custody have been transferred to regular ORR shelters, but have not been released to sponsors because the current director of ORR, Scott Lloyd, has not personally cleared them for such release. Identify the number of children in this category, and explain the process by which Lloyd determines whether to children will be released. How many children are in this category?

The letter is available HERE.

Pallone Announces $3.6 Million to NJ Community Health Centers

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) announced $3.6 million in Affordable Care Act funding to community health centers in New Jersey. This funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide access to services to Medicaid recipients and the uninsured in underserved communities.

“Community Health Centers attend to hard-to-reach populations and are a vital community resource that have a significant impact in improving health in New Jersey,” said Congressman Pallone. “This funding, which is yet another example of the positive and transformative impact the Affordable Care Act is having in New Jersey and across the country, will be instrumental in our efforts to continue serving those who need it most.”

Specializing in providing cost-effective and high-quality primary and preventive health care, Community Health Centers generate $24 billion annually in savings to the health care system, due largely to their success in reducing the need for patients to seek care in costlier health care settings (like emergency departments and hospitals). These centers deliver care at a total cost of just $1.51 per patient per day and serve as drivers of economic activity in the communities where they are located.

Community Health Centers are locally-controlled, non-profit entities that provide primary care, oral, behavioral, and pharmacy services in our most underserved rural and urban areas. New Jersey is home to 20 federally supported health centers serving 483,113 patients, over 42% of whom are uninsured.

Pallone has been an outspoken advocate for Community Health Centers throughout his career. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), which Pallone co-authored and helped usher through the House of Representatives earlier this year, addressed the looming expiration of funding for Community Health Centers. The funding was set to expire at the end of this year, but the law instead extends funding through 2017.

For years, Congressman Pallone has consistently advocated for Community Health Centers, leading bipartisan efforts the House Appropriations Committee resulting in increased support for these safety net health providers.

The total $3,697,689 in funding for New Jersey includes $566,667 for Perth Amboy’s Jewish Renaissance Foundation in the Sixth Congressional District. A full list of the funding recipients can be found HERE.