Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| Wilson Works to Protect Immigrant Emergency Care |
August 12, 2004 |
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| Lawmaker to Write HHS Opposing Rule Change
Albuquerque, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today said she supports emergency care for immigrants and reimbursement for New Mexico hospitals.
Wilson strongly opposes a proposed rule change that could force hospitals to collect data on undocumented immigrants while providing emergency treatment. Congress has already overwhelmingly rejected that proposal, but HHS is considering changes to the rule. Wilson said she will be writing HHS to oppose any changes.
On May 18, Wilson voted in support of emergency health care for immigrants, and against a bill that would have forced hospitals to collect data on undocumented immigrants. The U.S. House of Representatives voted down the Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 3722) by a vote of 331-88.
That bill would have required hospitals to collect data on undocumented immigrants who seek care, reporting that information to immigration officials. Hospitals not complying under the new rules would have been restricted from receiving their portion of the $1 billion in federal healthcare funding provided by Congress for border hospitals.
Wilson opposes the restrictions because of her concern the reporting requirements could have restricted emergency care services by creating a climate of fear.
“While I oppose illegal immigration, there are certain services you just have to provide,” said Wilson. “Basic emergency care is one of those services, and we shouldn’t create a climate of fear for people who have been seriously hurt or injured, or who are very ill. Our doctors and nurses are not and should not be immigration officials.”
Under current law, New Mexico will be among the states that benefit more from $1 billion in funding for emergency care for immigrants. Wilson worked for that funding in the Medicare prescription bill signed into law in November.
“Hospitals should continue to place their resources into saving lives and healing people, not acting as a branch of the border patrol,” Wilson said.
The Medicare prescription drug bill passed by Congress last year with Wilson’s support includes $1 billion for reimbursement when hospitals provide emergency care of undocumented immigrants in the United States.
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