This bill requires a hospital to collect information from a patient seeking care regarding the patient's immigration status. The hospital must inform the patient that the patient is not required to provide this information and that declining to provide this information does not preclude a patient from receiving medical care. The hospital must also inform the patient that the patient's immigration status does not affect the patient's ability to receive medical
42 care at the hospital. A hospital must, by January 1, 2027 and on a quarterly basis thereafter,
43 provide a report to the Department of Health and Human Services providing the aggregate
44 cost of medical care provided to patients who are asylum seekers. The department is
45 required to provide, by March 1, 2027 and annually thereafter, a report to the Governor and
46 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and
47 human services matters that provides information on the aggregate cost of medical care
48 provided to patients who are asylum seekers. The department is required to establish routine
49 technical rules to implement the requirements of this legislation. The bill also requires the department, by July 1, 2027 and annually thereafter, to submit a written request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seeking reimbursement for the aggregate cost of medical care provided to asylum seekers during the prior year.