Florida's Immigration Crackdown: Impact on Patients, Employers, and State Leaders

Starting Saturday, Florida hospitals will begin collecting data on patients' immigration status as required by a new law. Critics argue that this requirement could deter undocumented individuals from seeking care until their condition becomes life-threatening, leading to increased emergency room visits and healthcare costs. Healthcare providers have expressed concerns about the administrative burden and potential negative impact on public health. Hospital leaders have remained silent on the issue. While the law does not require patients to answer the immigration section of their patient form, some worry that simply asking the question will drive patients away. Advocates warn that the law creates a climate of fear and may discourage immigrant families from seeking healthcare for themselves and their U.S.-born children. This is Governor Ron DeSantis' second attempt to calculate the cost of providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants in Florida.