Maryland Hospitals Weigh Options of New Immigration Law

• New Law Kicks in Today

Beginning today, cash-strapped hospitals nationwide will be able to earn extra money by asking emergency room patients whether they are in the United States legally. But aspects of the plan make officials at Maryland's hospitals uncomfortable. So far, they are merely weighing their options. Congress has allocated $250 million per year over the next four years to hospitals that ask patients' immigration status and photocopy their citizenship papers. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to oversee the process, meant to help hospitals deal with uncompensated care from undocumented immigrants. In Maryland, that could translate to about $1.3 million annually. Many hospitals, however, are not eager to take on the role of police officers and possibly deter patients from visiting emergency rooms. "It puts health care providers in an area that deters patients from seeking health care," said Nancy Fiedler, spokeswoman for the Maryland Hospital Association.  "Hospitals are caregivers, not cops," said David Allen, of the American Hospital Association. "You need to have caregivers focused on caring for patients, not being active border patrol agents." [more ]