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Immigration Crossfire in Tennessee Threatens Children's Health
Description
Children in Tennessee who need ventilators, chemotherapy and other essential medical treatments—but who have no means to pay for them—turn to the Children's Special Services program. But as a result of a new state law, hundreds of children and their families were told to withdraw from the program or risk being reported to immigration officials. In this episode: Dr. Morgan McDonald explains what happened—and how a lawsuit is aiming to preserve lifesaving care.
Guest:Dr. Morgan McDonald is a pediatrician, a public health physician, and a Nashville Metro Health board member.
Host:Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:-
Tennessee to restrict medical aid for critically ill undocumented children—Washington Post
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Snader v. Tennessee Department of Health—Tennessee Justice Center
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A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention—Public Health On Call (May 2026)
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