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Florida’s New Law Forces Hospitals to Ask About Immigration Status, but You Don’t Have to Answer

By Giselle Balido

July 5, 2023

On Saturday, July 1, most Florida hospitals began collecting data on patients’ immigration status. However, the law does not require individuals to complete the immigration section of their patient form in order to receive care.

A partir del sábado primero de Julio, la mayoría de los hospitales de Florida comenzó a recopilar datos sobre el estado migratorio de los pacientes, desafiando los consejos de la comunidad médica que advierte que esto podría disuadir a muchas personas de buscar la atención médica que necesitan.

El proyecto de ley 1718 del Senado fue promulgado por el gobernador republicano Ron DeSantis con la intención de tomar medidas enérgicas contra los inmigrantes indocumentados en Florida y limitar los servicios sociales para estos.

Según la nueva legislación, los hospitales que acepten Medicaid tendrán que preguntar a los pacientes sobre su estatus migratorio antes de admitirlos para recibir atención.

Sin embargo, la ley no requiere que las personas respondan la sección de inmigración de su formulario de paciente para recibir atención.

De hecho, la ley instruye a los hospitales que sus formas de admisión deben aclarar, inmediatamente después de preguntar el estado migratorio del paciente, que su respuesta no afectará su atención ni se compartirá con las autoridades de inmigración.

RELATED: DeSantis Signs Bills to Expand and Empower Government Programs Targeting Migrants and Voters

“Nosotros como organización estamos diciéndole a la gente que no respondan a esta pregunta”, Yessica Ramírez, organizadora de Asociación Campesina de Florida, una organización sin fines de lucro con 40 años de servicio a la comunidad inmigrante, campesina y de bajos ingresos, le dijo a Floricua. “Y no solo se lo estamos pidiendo a los inmigrantes indocumentados, sino si eres ciudadano, si eres residente, si tienes algún permiso, no respondan a esta pregunta. Vamos a hacerlo un poquito más difícil para estas personas que votaron a favor de la ley”. 

Para más información, visita la página de la Asociación Campesina de Florida.





Florida's New Law Forces Hospitals to Ask About Immigration Status, but You Don't Have to Answer
Fuente: Asociación Campesina de Florida.

Starting Saturday, July 1, most Florida hospitals began collecting data on patients’ immigration status, defying warnings from the medical community that this could discourage many people from seeking the care they need.

Senate Bill 1718 was signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis with the intent of cracking down on undocumented immigrants in Florida and limiting social services for them.

Under the new legislation, hospitals that accept Medicaid will have to ask patients about their immigration status before admitting them for care.

However, the law does not require individuals to complete the immigration section of their patient form in order to receive care.

In fact, the law instructs hospitals that, after asking a patient’s immigration status, they let them know that their answer will not affect their care or be shared with immigration authorities.

RELATED: DeSantis Vows to End Birthright Citizenship as President

“We as an organization are telling people not to answer this question,” Yessica Ramirez, an organizer with Asociación Campesina de Florida, a nonprofit organization with 40 years of service to the immigrant, farm, and low-income community, told Floricua. “And we’re not only asking undocumented immigrants; if you’re a citizen, if you’re a resident, if you have a permit, don’t answer this question. We’re going to make it a little bit harder for these people who voted for the law. “

For more information visit Farmworker Association of Florida.

Florida's New Law Forces Hospitals to Ask About Immigration Status, but You Don't Have to Answer
Image via Farmworker Association of Florida

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Author

  • Giselle Balido

    Giselle is Floricua's political correspondent. She writes about the economy, environmental and social justice, and all things Latino. A published author, Giselle was born in Havana and grew up in New Jersey and Miami. She is passionate about equality, books, and cats.

CATEGORIES: IMMIGRATION | POLITICS

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