Limit on medical care for immigrants hurts all Floridians
On May 10, a bill requiring hospitals to ask questions about immigration status during the admission process and to submit regular reports to government entities detailing the money spent on caring for patients without a regulated immigration status was signed into law. This new legislation, SB 1718, which also includes sanctions for hiring and transporting individuals without a regulated immigration status, has unchained a state of fear not only for immigrants who do not have a regulated status, but for all Floridians whose lives are touched by immigration.
The Florida Immigration Coalition has been fielding concerns from across the state. Fear has reached a large part of our communities, including immigrant youth protected by DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) who live with undocumented parents or asylum-seeking individuals who have a pending inspection date.
Floridians want to know what they can do to protect themselves and their loved ones in a state in which 722,000 U.S. citizens live with at least one family member who is still navigating our very complex immigration system.
Everyone has the right to quality health care, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented immigrants already face significant barriers in accessing care, and many of Florida’s healthcare providers have expressed concern that this legislation will deter people from health services altogether. People in primarily migrant communities like Immokalee, where Partners In Health works, are already avoiding seeking care for their families, even if their children are U.S. citizens, out of fear that presenting identification from other states or countries will lead to discrimination or deportation.
Floridians with mixed-status families and undocumented friends have started to assess how these requirements will affect everyday decisions such as muchneeded visits to the hospital for emergencies, surgeries, and births. Research has shown that asking patients about their immigration status prevents people from seeking medical help when they need it most, placing an already vulnerable population in further danger of risk. Asking patients about immigration status in exchange for health services will generate fear and suspicion in the health system, threaten the health and well-being of families, and increase health care costs for all Floridians.
Undocumented immigrants are already wary about trusting health systems due to the systemic barriers they face accessing health care, unfair treatment by medical professionals, and an overall fear that a hospital’s connection to the state and federal government would expose them. For decades, public health professionals have been working to build trust in the health system by addressing fears and assuring access to care regardless of immigration status. This law will undermine such efforts. Furthermore, the fear this legislation has induced will result in increased racial profiling and significant threats to mental health.
This legislation is a direct attack on the communities who form the backbone of Florida’s economy, but make no mistake, it will impact all Floridians. Comprising over 9% of Florida’s construction, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and retail workforce, undocumented immigrants typically fill jobs that Florida employers often struggle to recruit for. Too often, these jobs are low-paying and don’t offer worker protection or paid sick leave. And yet, every day, undocumented people endure hazardous working conditions to build and maintain our communities and nourish our families with the fruits and veggies we consume. They are constantly placed at risk, and one misstep could land them in the emergency room. Asking patients about immigration status will undoubtedly dissuade people from seeking care until they absolutely need it. This could turn what would have been routine care into a dire health emergency, straining already overstretched providers and placing a significant fiscal burden on medical facilities.
We advise that anyone seeking care in a hospital and/or emergency department that is presented with the question of immigration, including those with legal status, decline to answer. Primary care, pediatric specialist, testing site and urgent care offices that do not receive state and federal Medicaid funds should not be asking about the immigration status of their patients in registration forms. If these workers are too afraid to seek necessary medical care when they need it, all Floridians will carry the burden.
Tessa Petit is executive director of the Florida Immigration Coalition. Maria Plata is a project manager with Partners In Health.