New Bill Introduced on Immigration Status Reporting in Hospitals

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has put forth a proposal aimed at hospitals participating in federal health care programs. This legislation would mandate hospitals to inquire about patients’ immigration status.

The hospitals would be obligated to report various totals, including how many patients they identify as being unlawfully present in the United States.

Roy’s Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act seeks to amend Title 11 of the Social Security Act. If hospitals don’t adhere to the bill’s reporting requirements, they could lose eligibility for federal health care funding.

In Roy’s words, “For years, Americans have seen overcrowded emergency rooms, rising health care costs, and strained hospital resources, while being kept in the dark about the billions of taxpayer dollars that could be spent on medical care for illegal aliens.” He expressed dissatisfaction with the current lack of accountability, stating, “The Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act provides the transparency and accountability Americans deserve by forcing hospitals to report how illegal aliens are increasing the financial burden on our health care system.”

The bill would necessitate that patients, or their authorized representatives, indicate their immigration status upon admission and during other intake processes.

Questions regarding immigration status would be accompanied by a clarification that this information wouldn’t be shared with law enforcement unless it directly impacts the patient’s care or relates to ongoing criminal investigations.

Included exceptions involve specific offenses listed under the Immigration and Nationality Act or certain federal laws.

Additionally, hospitals would need to furnish documentary proof if they claim a patient or representative holds lawful green card status. According to the bill, supportive evidence may include a patient presenting a green card.

Every three months, hospitals must submit reports to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Homeland Security. These reports must present the number of patients seen, along with the immigration status of those patients who provided an answer.

In terms of reporting categories, there’s an emphasis on patients who are not lawfully present. This includes unaccompanied alien children as defined by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Hospitals will have to report on patients who claim to be lawful permanent residents but lack the necessary documentation.

Moreover, the bill stipulates that by October 1 each year, starting in 2026, the HHS Secretary must report to Congress. This report will compile data from hospitals throughout the previous year.

This report will cover the costs associated with uncompensated care for individuals not lawfully present, the impact on hospitals’ ability to offer services, and additional related data.

The Secretary of HHS, in collaboration with the Secretary of DHS, can set regulations to put these requirements into practice, ensuring no patient names or identifiable information is disclosed.

Roy noted that the exact costs of illegal aliens on hospitals remain murky, yet overcrowded emergency rooms and limited medical resources are evident. A recent report indicated that state and local governments spend at least $21 billion annually on health care for undocumented immigrants, a figure expected to rise due to an influx during the Biden administration.

Furthermore, a Florida law reported that taxpayers incurred $566 million in medical costs for illegal aliens in one year.

“Federal taxpayers should know the cost of admitting illegal aliens to hospitals that accept federal health care funding,” the document emphasizes, suggesting a need for greater awareness among American taxpayers about the expenses related to undocumented immigration.

The proposal indicates that hospitals failing to comply with these requirements could face loss of federal funding. Immigration policy groups have expressed support for Roy’s initiative.

Grant Newman from the Immigrant Responsibility Project remarked, “By requiring hospitals to track and report their patients’ immigration status, we can finally end the enormous cost of uncompensated treatment for illegal aliens.”

Joe Chatham from the Federation for American Immigration Reform noted the soaring costs attributed to undocumented immigrants due to increased immigration under the current administration. He believes the bill is essential for transparency regarding health care costs.

RJ Howman from the National Immigration Enforcement Center pointed to the figures from Florida, stating that Washington has long obscured the medical costs associated with illegal immigration. He argues that the measure does not compromise patient care but rather ensures accountability for taxpayer funds.

Howman further praised Roy, stating, “Congressman Roy is one of the most powerful immigration enforcement members to ever serve in Congress,” highlighting his commitment to these issues.