Arizona Bill Would Require Hospitals to Check Citizenship
During the last year the state of Arizona has received a tremendous amount of attention for immigration bills that have been introduced and passed in the state. When SB1070 was introduced and then later passed, it sparked unparalleled debate around the country. Although a federal judge later prevented much of the law from being actually implemented until the matter could be fully analyzed by the courts that did not stop numerous other states around the country from introducing copycat legislation. Furthermore, it has not stopped lawmakers in the state of Arizona from introducing further bills aimed at the subject of immigration. Recently, five new bills were introduced in Arizona that would have resulted in significant requirements regarding immigration in the state. Republican legislators in the state sought to extend the crackdown on illegal immigration in Arizona through a proposal that would have required hospital to verify whether patients were actually in the United States legally. The proposal immediately resulted in outrage among many healthcare and medical professionals who felt that they were being forced to become a type of de facto immigration official. Many doctors expressed concerned that immigrants with potentially contagious diseases would opt to stay home rather than go to a hospital or clinic and place themselves at risk for deportation, thus resulting in placing the public at risk for health issues.

Discussions Reached Fever Pitch
Arizona was the first state to introduce such a measure. Discussion regarding the bill reached a fever pitch when an illegal immigrant with a large tumor was removed from a hospital in Texas as a result of her immigration status. She later located a different hospital and was able to receive treatment for the tumor. Supporters of the legislation introduced in Arizona stated they felt the bill was a necessity for fighting illegal immigration during a time when hospitals often lose millions of dollars as a result of providing treatment to illegal immigrants, often in the emergency room. Arizona Republicans in support of the bill went on to say that the bill was actually part of a much larger effort to extend crackdowns on illegal immigration. The bill would not actually have prevented individuals from receiving care, but it would have placed the responsibility on hospitals to help in enforcing immigration laws.

Requirements of the Bill in Arizona
Known as SB1405 the bill would have required hospitals to confirm that a person is a U.S. citizen or legally present in the country when they seek care and are admitted on a non-emergency basis. In the event of emergency cases, if the patient was not legally present, the hospital would have been further required to contact immigration officials once treatment was completed. In non-emergency situations hospitals would have been required under the bill to call federal immigration authorities. Opponents to the bill contended that it could potentially result in serious risks for both persons who are here illegally as well as legally. There was also concern that the bill would have resulted in increasing the workload of hospitals, which many feel is already strained to the limit. At the current time, opponents of the bill seem to have won the first round as the legislation, along with four other bills, were eventually defeated. Even so, this may not be the end of the matter as it is possible that the legislation could be re-introduced at some point after amendments are made. The legislation could also come up again if there are sufficient calls for a re-vote to take place. It remains to be seen whether the legislation will actually move forward or quietly die in the Arizona legislature.