Arizona lawmakers are working on a bill that would require hospitals receiving state funds to ask patients for their citizenship status. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Wendy Rogers, aims to track state spending on healthcare for undocumented individuals. Supporters argue that this is necessary for accountability, while critics fear the data could be used against those in the U.S. illegally. The bill passed the Arizona Senate and received a positive vote from the House health and human services committee. If it becomes law, patients can opt not to answer the question, with totals still being recorded. The bill is scheduled for a house caucus hearing on March 18. The ACLU of Arizona and others worry that this could deter undocumented individuals from seeking medical care and that it could lead to cuts in funding for hospitals with high numbers of undocumented patients. Rogers, however, remains firm in her belief that tracking citizenship status is important for the state. Florida is the only other state with a similar law in place.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
