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November 6, 2025policy changeimmigration policyhealth policyimmigrationhealth policy

Rubio cable adds chronic conditions to the visa public charge test

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a cable to U.S. embassies worldwide directing visa officers to weigh chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity and cancer in public charge decisions. KFF Health News obtained the cable and broke the story the same day. The guidance tells officers to predict an applicant's lifetime medical costs.