Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tx.) introduced the Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act Monday that would mandate all hospitals participating in federal health care programs to require patients to disclose immigration status.
Why does this matter?
The legislation would require hospitals to report those who are in the country unlawfully and prevent them from taking advantage of federal health care programs.
What are people saying?
- Rep. Roy: "The Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act delivers the transparency and accountability Americans deserve by ensuring hospitals report the extent to which illegal aliens are adding to the fiscal burden of our healthcare system”
- RJ Hauman, President of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE): “NICE fully supports the Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act and urges every member serious about fiscal accountability and immigration enforcement to cosponsor it"
Roy introduced the legislation Monday, as Congress continues to stay in session until January.
In a press release, Roy cited how Americans have seen overcrowded emergency rooms, healthcare costs rise and hospital resources strained while being "kept in the dark" about taxpayer dollars spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants.
"That lack of accountability is unacceptable and absurd," said Roy. "The Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act delivers the transparency and accountability Americans deserve by ensuring hospitals report the extent to which illegal aliens are adding to the fiscal burden of our healthcare system."
Roy, a Congressman representing the Texas Hill Country and parts of Austin and San Antonio, introduced the legislation after recent pressure to increase federal oversight to prevent illegal immigrants from taking advantage of federal health care programs.
The legislation has already received support from organizations such as Heritage Action, the Immigration Accountability Project and NICE.
“NICE fully supports the Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act and urges every member serious about fiscal accountability and immigration enforcement to cosponsor it," said Hauman.
The Congressman's Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act will crack down on illegal immigration, amidst a wave of immigration crackdowns nationwide.
