Proposed Hospital Regulation Threatens Battered Immigrant Women
Tuesday, September 7, 2004 11:35 AM
The Bush Administration is considering an implementation that would require hospitals to not only ask uninsured patients intimidating questions, but also to keep patient files containing copies of border crossing cards, passports and visas. Hospitals would be required to comply in order to receive part of a $1 billion, four-year federal aid package. Congress passed the aid package as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 with the goal of defraying the costs of emergency care for undocumented immigrants. Health and domestic violence experts fear the intimidating questions will prevent both legal and undocumented immigrants from seeking the care they need. Experts also warn that the implementation would prevent immigrant women experiencing domestic violence from receiving the needed care and services to protect their children as well as themselves. Compiled from: "Hospital Regulation Would Threaten Battered Immigrant Women, Experts Warn," Family Violence Prevention Fund's News Flash, 2 September 2004.