Bill would require hospitals to report illegal immigrants

Published: 2004-05-11

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Legislation that would require hospitals to report on patients' immigration status would create a new role for hospital personnel, "that of border patrol agents," according to the Catholic Health Association. The bill, HR 3722, would require hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status, get fingerprints or photos of those who cannot prove their legal residency if asked, and send the information on to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau. Compliance with the reporting law would be a requirement for hospitals to be reimbursed by the federal government for treating illegal immigrants who have no medical insurance and cannot afford to pay their bills. In a letter to members of Congress urging them to oppose the legislation, the Catholic Health Association and six other hospital groups said the bill "would virtually ensure that illegal immigrants will avoid getting the appropriate and timely life-saving health care they need, when they need it."

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