AHA: Federal Hospital Support Needed for Treating Undocumented Patients

Written by Bob Herman | June 09, 2011

The American Hospital Association urged President Barack Obama in a letter to ensure hospitals receive federal aid to care for undocumented patients.

Section 1011 of the Medicare Modernization Act provided some financial help to hospitals that provide uncompensated care to undocumented patients but expired in 2008. Now, hospitals have to deal with the financial responsibilities of providing services to illegal immigrants, many of which are unable to pay for their care.

AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said that "Section 1011 played a critical role in helping to stabilize the safety net provided by hospitals and preserve access to care."

Read AHA's letter to President Obama regarding immigrant healthcare(pdf).

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