A new Florida law requiring hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status took effect July 1.
The requirement was set forth by SB 1718, an immigration bill Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in May, according to the Miami Herald.
Under the law, hospitals' admission and registration forms must include a question asking if the patient is legally in the U.S. The forms must also include a statement that patients' answers will not affect their care and that their immigration status won't be reported to authorities.
Hospitals will be required to submit a quarterly report on total hospital admissions and emergency room visits to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the agency that oversees hospitals in the state. The report must include how many visits were made by U.S. citizens, undocumented individuals and those who declined to answer.