This bill proposes to amend current statutes by adding a new section to the Arizona Revised Statutes that requires hospitals accepting payment 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 patients or their representatives state whether they are U.S. citizens, lawfully present, or not lawfully present in the U.S. Additionally, the form must clarify that the patient's response will not influence their care or lead to reporting their immigration status to authorities.

Furthermore, 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. DHS is also empowered to establish rules for the reporting format while ensuring that no personal identifying information is disclosed. Annually, DHS is required to report to state leadership on the total admissions and related costs of uncompensated care for individuals not lawfully present in the U.S., along with other pertinent information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-407.04
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-407.04