Thread: Bill Requiring Hospitals to Check Immigration Status in Ariz

Bill Requiring Hospitals to Check Immigration Status in Arizona Causes Concern
Published February 15, 2011

Marko Garduno, top right, holds a sleeping Dillon Garduno, 2 1/2, as they join dozens of others as they listen to Arizona lawmakers give their first hearing to a bill that challenges automatic U.S. citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An Arizona bill requiring hospitals to check on whether patients are in the country legally, is the latest attempt by Arizona lawmakers to crackdown on illegal immigration. But the bill is causing concern among medical professionals who fear they will become de facto immigration agents under the law.

The legislation, known as Senate Bill 1405, would require hospitals, when admitting non-emergency cases, to confirm that a person seeking care is a U.S. citizen or in the country legally. In emergency cases where the patient isn't here legally, the hospital would be required to call immigration authorities after the treatment is done. Hospitals in non-emergency situations would also be required to contact federal immigration authorities, but they would have more apparent discretion about whether to treat illegal immigrants.

The medical industry ripped the bill Monday as it was scheduled for a hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Doctors envisioned scenarios in which immigrants with contagious diseases such as tuberculosis would stay home from the clinic or hospital and put themselves and the public at a grave health risk.

"This is making us into a police state that will try to catch people when they are sick," said George Pauk, a retired doctor with an organization called Physicians for a National Health Program. "Do we want to stop sick people from coming in for health care?"

Arizona is the first Legislature to take up such a measure amid a national push in conservative states to crack down on illegal immigration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Arizona lawmakers ignited the debate a year ago when they passed a bill that required local police, while enforcing other laws, to question the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally. A judge later put that provision on hold.

The discussion about the bill comes just days after an illegal immigrant in Texas with a banana-size tumor in her spine said she was ousted from her hospital because of her immigration status. She later found another hospital to get treatment.

Supporters say the hospital bill is necessary tool to fight illegal immigration at a time when hospitals lose tens of millions of dollars treating illegal immigrants in emergency rooms.

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I totally support this bill, hope Arizona passes it post haste and it spreads to other states like a prairie fire.

Originally Posted by Judy

I totally support this bill, hope Arizona passes it post haste and it spreads to other states like a prairie fire.

AMEN!

These are all No Brainers for any nation. There is no National Sovereignty unless you control your borders and who is inside said borders...

Police should absolutely be able to detain anyone who is not in the country Legally as well. Anything less is open borders, anarchy, and national suicide.

Related Thread
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1184807-.html#1184807

way to go Gov Jan Brewer
Noi amnesty

This needs to be done post-haste! Illegal immigrants have way overburdened too many U.S. Hospitals to where many now are closed, closing or on the brink of closure because illegals DON'T PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL SERVICES leaving Hospitals with NO MONEY TO RUN/OPERATIONS/STAFFING/ETC.

GO ARIZONA!!!!

Originally Posted by American-ized

This needs to be done post-haste! Illegal immigrants have way overburdened too many U.S. Hospitals to where many now are closed, closing or on the brink of closure because illegals DON'T PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL SERVICES leaving Hospitals with NO MONEY TO RUN/OPERATIONS/STAFFING/ETC.

GO ARIZONA!!!!

It is a serious issue as far as illegals go but its much more then that. Of course the bill would make a significant difference but hospitals would still struggle as to many poor citizens abusing it as well.

I support the Bill as well, and do hope doctors across the nation will understand the actions is not about who stays home and not seek medical treatments, that is is already happening with millions of Americans because they cannot afford medical evaluations. Arizona is trying to lead the way to end the illegal immigration nightmare and I wish the State much success, and wish everyone else in the U.S. would stand up for American citizens, so the sufferings from illegal aliens actions will cease or at least slow down.

Didja notice that "George Pauk" is RETIRED? That means his bottom line as a doctor isn't affected. However, the admitting clerks in all hospitals turn themselves into a police state by demanding identification, proof of insurance, social security disability cards, and other forms of harassment. You mean they feel it is "too much trouble" for them to ask for ID proving permanent residence or citizenship? Give me a break! I am a nurse and the amount of information gleaned on each patient is staggering. Why is just one more important question, "Are you in the U.S. legally?" going to be such a burden??