Immigration Crossfire in Tennessee Threatens Children's Health — Public Health On Call

About this episode:

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
Snader v. Tennessee Department of Health—Tennessee Justice Center
A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention—Public Health On Call (May 2026)

Transcript information:

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