The Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004, under which health care professionals would have to tell federal authorities about undocumented immigrants seeking medical treatment, could come to a vote this week.

This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), would override the current legislation that prohibits hospitals from inquiring about a patient’s immigration status.  Late last year, a law was signed that allots at least $1 billion over the next four years to help cover the cost of giving undocumented immigrants emergency services.  At that time, Rohrabacher only agreed to vote yes on the Medicare measure if House leaders committed to considering his bill for a vote.

The Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004 would obligate medical providers to obtain names, addresses, fingerprints, photographs and names of employers from undocumented immigrants admitted into any hospital.  The information gathered would then be provided to the Homeland Security Department, for purposes of deportation.  The employers of the undocumented immigrants would be billed for the medical charges.  Although participation in this program would be voluntary, those that did not participate would not be eligible for federal funds to cover the costs of treating undocumented immigrants.

Immigration advocates and hospital associations worry the bill will turn hospital staff into immigration officials and create a public health threat.  Rohrabacher released a press statement contending the bill would not inconvenience hospitals.