Hospitals May Soon Track Patients’ Citizenship Status: What You Need to Know

The Arizona House has passed a controversial bill requiring hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. The decision was made on May 5, with a vote of 32-25, amidst concerns that such inquiries could discourage individuals from seeking medical care.

Senate Bill 1268, sponsored by Republican Senator Wendy Rogers from Flagstaff, aims to collect data on healthcare costs associated with undocumented migrants. Rogers stated, “They should stay in their own country if they want to have care,” dismissing critics who argue the measure could deter healthcare access.

The bill mandates that hospitals accepting Medicaid payments must ask patients whether they are citizens and their legal status. It is designed to generate reports for state officials, focusing on tracking uncompensated care rather than direct connections to Medicaid coverage, which is limited for undocumented individuals.

Opponents, such as Democratic Senator Catherine Miranda from Laveen, raised alarms about potential abuse of the information gathered. “How can we assured this information won’t be used for nefarious reasons?” she questioned, expressing distrust in the bill’s intentions.

Rogers defended the proposal, stating that the focus should be on the legality of individuals rather than the use of gathered data, dismissing Miranda’s concerns as specious.

The bill resembles a recent Florida law, and its implications are already apparent, according to Democratic Representative Sarah Liguori. She noted an increase in undocumented residents relocating due to fear of deportation, coinciding with changes in child labor laws to address workforce shortages.

Further complicating the debate, a recent incident involved a Mexican migrant being detained by immigration authorities after seeking emergency medical care, raising concerns about hospitals’ involvement with ICE.

Supporters, including Republican Representative Selina Bliss, emphasized that medical staff do not inquire about legal status during care, assuring that patient treatment remains unaffected. “We don’t have to worry about violating our oath,” she insisted.

Conversely, opponents argue that merely asking about immigration status can instill fear, affecting communities already under duress. “We have people who are scared to go seek medical care,” warned Senator Alma Hernandez.

Democratic Representative Mariana Sandoval expressed skepticism about the bill’s assurances, referencing the IRS’s recent sharing of sensitive information. “History shows that such assurances can be easily undermined,” she remarked.

Educational concerns were noted by Representative Nancy Gutierrez, who highlighted the consequences for families with mixed immigration statuses, emphasizing that fear can lead to untreated illnesses.

The bill’s proponents maintain that the focus is on data collection rather than healthcare access. Rogers firmly stated, “It’s not my job to determine if someone is dissuaded from care,” reiterating her focus on legality over healthcare concerns.