Plaintiffs want LA County to enforce a law that requires immigration sponsors to pay for patients' healthcare.
Supporters of stricter immigration law enforcement have
filed suit against Los Angeles County in an effort to force health
officials to seek reimbursement from the sponsors of legal immigrants
for medical services the patients receive from public
hospitals.Sponsors of legal immigrants to the United States must submit
an 'affidavit of support,' promising to pay for certain public services
-- such as non-emergency medical assistance -- as part of the admissions
requirements for the immigrant. The law was introduced in 1996 and was
billed by supporters as a means to prevent the U.S. welfare system from
serving as a primary magnet to newcomers.But Los Angeles County, along
with most other local governments throughout the state, have never
sought to bill the sponsor of an immigrant. As a result, the plaintiffs
contend, taxpayers end up paying for medical costs that the immigrants
or their sponsors should pay. [more ]
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