MEDIA ADVISORY Telephonic Press Conference HEALTH CARE, LABOR, IMMIGRANT, AND LATINO ADVOCATES DECRY ROHRABACHER HOSPITAL BILL Washington, D.C. – The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) joins a chorus of health care experts, labor unions, and immigrant advocates in decrying an amendment put forward by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to force doctors and nurses to report to federal authorities patients they suspect of being undocumented immigrants. As part of a deal to win the Congressman’s vote for Medicaid legislation last year, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) promised a vote on the “Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004.” Recent statements from Rep. Rohrabacher suggest that his proposal could reach the House floor sometime in May, perhaps as early as May 11. If passed, the legislation would do nothing to stem illegal immigration but would make immigrant families less likely to seek medical care, even if they have serious illnesses or injuries. It would endanger the health of all Americans because potentially contagious diseases would go unchecked. It threatens businesses because it would make companies liable for any unreimbursed health care costs incurred by an employee. Moreover, the data collection required under HR 3722 would create a financial burden that would far surpass any compensatory funds that medical providers would receive for treating patients. The very fact that the House of Representatives will consider the measure on the floor is likely to sow confusion and fear in immigrant communities. Join an on-the-record telephonic press conference where experts on health care, business, labor, local government, and the Latino community will discuss why they think hospitals should remain in the business of caring for sick people rather than acting as federal immigration agents. WHEN: Monday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. EST HOW: Call 1-800-544-6192 and ask for the hospital care teleconference WHO: Eliseo Medina, Vice President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) ###
|