Governor Hobbs Vetoes Arizona Bill Requiring Hospitals to Ask About Immigration Status
Hobbs Says Measure Would Discourage Patients from Seeking Care, Undermine Public Health
Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed legislation that would have required Arizona hospitals to ask patients about their immigration or citizenship status, halting a measure that sparked intense debate among lawmakers, healthcare providers, and immigrant advocates.
What the Bill Would Have Required
The proposal would have required hospitals that receive funding through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to ask patients whether they are U.S. citizens or otherwise lawfully present in the country. Supporters said the information would help the state better understand how much healthcare is provided to undocumented immigrants.
Lawmakers who backed the bill said the intent was not to deny care but to gather data about the cost of treating undocumented immigrants in Arizona hospitals. They argued the state should have clearer information as it debates healthcare spending and border-related issues.
Why Hobbs Vetoed the Measure
In her veto message, Hobbs said the bill risked discouraging patients from seeking necessary medical care and could undermine public health. She argued that requiring hospitals to collect immigration data could create fear among patients and interfere with care in emergency situations.
The veto marks the latest clash between Hobbs, a Democrat, and the Republican-controlled Arizona State Legislature over immigration-related policies. With the veto, the measure will not take effect.
