Reply #120: Government To Reimburse Hospitals for Emergency Care for Illegal Aliens

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Payments To Help Hospitals Care for Illegal Immigrants
By Robert Pear, The New York Times, Dateline Washington, May 10, 2005
and
U.S. To Help Cover Health Costs of Illegals; Providers in State To Divy Up $71 Million for Emergency Care
By Tyche Hendricks, The San Francisco Chronicle, May 10, 2005
and
Government To Reimburse Hospitals for Emergency Care for Illegal Aliens
By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Newswires, Dateline Washington, May 9, 2005
The Bush administration announced on May 9 that $1 billion will be available to hospitals nationwide to pay for emergency care to illegal immigrants.
U.S. hospitals, especially those located along the U.S.-Mexican border, have been incurring huge financial burdens because they are required by federal law to provide medical treatment to all persons seeking emergency care, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay.
In California, a popular destination for illegal immigrants, nine hospitals have closed in the past year, due in part to increasing costs associated with caring for illegal immigrants. This fiscal year, California will be getting $70.8 million in federal aid, but it is estimated that California hospitals spend $500 million each year caring for illegal immigrants.
Nonetheless, the federal aid is considered to be a breakthrough. Jan Emerson, spokeswoman for the California Healthcare Association, which represents hospitals, is quoted as saying: "It (the federal aid) is hugely symbolic, because it is the first time the federal government has acknowledged that it has a role."
See the May 9, 2005 fact sheet issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1452