This bill proposes to amend current statutes by adding a new section to require hospitals that accept payments from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to include a designated area on patient admission forms for individuals to indicate their citizenship status. Specifically, it mandates that the form must allow patients or their representatives to state whether they are U.S. citizens, lawfully present, or not lawfully present in the United States, accompanied by a statement assuring that their response will not affect their care or be reported to immigration authorities.

Additionally, the bill introduces quarterly reporting requirements for hospitals, which must submit data to the Department of Health Services (DHS) regarding the number of admissions or emergency visits categorized by citizenship status. Furthermore, it requires DHS to compile and submit an annual report to state leadership detailing hospital admissions and the financial implications of uncompensated care for individuals not lawfully present. The bill also allows DHS to establish rules for the reporting process while ensuring that no personal identifying information of patients is disclosed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-407.04