Mayor Karen Bass on Healthcare Visits Amid Immigration Concerns
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concerns on social media about skipping free hospital visits due to fears that undocumented individuals might be apprehended by immigration officials.
A report from Laist highlighted that hospital and clinic attendance is dropping as immigration enforcement actions increase in the area. Specifically, it’s noted that St. John’s Clinic in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire has seen appointment cancellations rise by 30% since early June, coinciding with heightened federal immigration activities. Meanwhile, Los Angeles General Medical Center has experienced around a 20% rate of no-shows and cancellations.
This situation seems to deeply upset Mayor Bass. She mentioned that patients are avoiding necessary medical care due to fears related to immigration, stating that no-shows have doubled at several hospitals in LA, although it’s worth noting she focused on individuals receiving care without addressing their immigration status.
“Having worked in an emergency room, I understand the dangers this situation presents. This issue facing our city needs urgent resolution,” she expressed.
In response, Stephen Miller, a senior advisor at the White House, pointed out that providing free healthcare to undocumented individuals is a significant factor driving healthcare costs in the U.S. He commented that subsidized care, primarily for illegal immigrants and their families, contributes greatly to these rising expenses.
Miller elaborated on the Laist piece, questioning the proportion of costs attributed to illegal healthcare usage, highlighting that a substantial portion can strain hospital resources.
Some states, like Texas and Florida, are attempting to address the situation by mandating hospitals to report the costs incurred by uninsured undocumented individuals. Reports from Texas indicate that over 100,000 illegal immigrants have received free care since the introduction of tracking regulations, leading to a financial burden of at least $434 million. Similarly, Florida has noted about $660 million in unpaid hospital bills attributed to undocumented residents this year.
