The state House is close to passing a bill that would require hospitals to ask patients their citizenship status.
Supporters say the measure is about addressing Medicaid fraud.
The measure would also require hospitals to send reports of those immigration responses to the governor, legislative leaders and secretary of state. The bill says names would not be included in those reports.
“Who is responsible for the state, for accounting for data if we’re not doing it?” Republican Rep. Selina Bliss (Prescott) asked on the House floor Wednesday.
Opponents say this bill would result in people staying home instead of seeking emergency medical care out of fear of deportation. Democrat Mariana Sandoval (Goodyear) shared her concerns that the immigration data would be compromised.
“Although it claims this data won’t be shared, history shows such assurances can be easily undermined as seen with the current administration’s information sharing initiatives between the IRS and USCIS,” Sandoval said.
The bill now awaits a formal House vote.
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