May 11, 3:17 PM EDT

Temporary reprieve in Phoenix for Honduran woman in coma

PHOENIX (AP) -- A judge has temporarily stopped a Phoenix-area hospital from sending a woman back to her native Honduras.

Sonia del Cid Iscoa has been in a coma in St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center since April 20, when she prematurely gave birth to a daughter, family members said.

Iscoa has been in the U.S. legally for years through temporary-protection status, said Nora Montoya, the country's general consul in Arizona.

John Curtin, Iscoa's attorney, said the hospital wants to deport Iscoa because of concerns her medical bill won't be paid. "You don't take someone who's unconscious and helpless and move them out of the country over the objections of their family," he said.

Hospital officials declined to comment because of federal patient-privacy laws and referred to the health-care system's policy. The policy states that hospitals can treat patients for acute emergency needs but, because the facilities aren't built to provide long-term care, patients must be transferred when the medical crisis has passed.

Family members said a hospital official told them Wednesday that the facility was transferring Iscoa to a hospital in Honduras the next day.

Curtin got a temporary reprieve Thursday night and Judge Carrie Hyatt issued the temporary restraining order Friday afternoon. Hyatt gave the family until noon Tuesday to put up a bond of $20,000 to ensure Iscoa's care while the case continues to move forward.

Curtin will seek a permanent injunction against Iscoa's removal. Another hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.

Montoya said medical officials in Honduras say if Iscoa is transferred to the Central American country, she could die.

Iscoa suffered complications during the birth of her sixth child. She has not lived in Honduras for more than 17 years, and if returned to her country, could be sent to a hospital that treats the indigent.

Montoya said Iscoa was granted temporary-protection status to live in the United States in the 1990s. The status is up for review every few years, but her next review isn't scheduled until 2009.

While hospital officials refer to their policy on treating non-citizens when asked about the case, Iscoa's lack of insurance is the real issue, Curtin said.

Iscoa has Arizona's Healthcare Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, which does not cover long-term care.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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