Illegal, Uninsured and Under Scrutiny

Cost of caring for immigrants staggers hospitals, draws Congress’ attention
Laurie Cunningham | Miami Daily Business Review | 5.28.04

“Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a bill that would have required hospitals to ask patients coming to their ERs for proof that they are U.S. citizens or legal residents. For those without proof, hospitals would have been required to report them to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for possible deportation.”

“‘The message is that because people who come here are going to need medical care, we must have a health care system that treats all people decently, regardless of where they’re from or why they’re here,’ said Joseph Zumpano, a health care lawyer and partner at Zumpano Patricios & Winker in Coral Gables. Zumpano was not involved in the Martin Memorial case.”

“Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments are required to provide emergency care to all patients, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. To offset this burden, the federal government provides some funding for emergency care for undocumented aliens. But it doesn’t pay for those who need long–term care for disabilities.”