http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory. ... cs/3174630
May 10, 2005, 7:14AM

Texas ERs will get funds from feds
$46 million is to cover costs for illegal immigrants
By MICHAEL HEDGES and TODD ACKERMAN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

WASHINGTON - The federal government will help Texas hospitals cover the cost of treating illegal immigrants in emergency rooms beginning today.

The four-year program, approved in 2003 but not immediately implemented, will divide $250 million each year among all states, with Texas and five other states getting the lion's share. That share is based on a formula that considers the estimated population of illegal immigrants per state and also how effectively states such as Texas apprehend those immigrants.

Texas will get up to $46 million in 2005, second only to $71 million for California.

The cash-strapped Harris County Hospital District could get as much as 15 percent to 20 percent of Texas' $46 million allocation, said King Hillier, the district's director of governmental relations.

Harris County is expected to provide about $50 million in care to illegal immigrants this year, Hillier said.

Federal officials said hospitals could apply for reimbursement for emergency services from the time a patient arrives until that patient is considered stabilized.

"The funding provides relief, but it does not resolve the underlying problem â€â€