Doctor fears Florida’s new immigration law is scaring away patients

Florida’s newest immigration law requires hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status, and doctors say it could affect how some ask for help.

Dr. Antonio Gonzalez is the guy sick people visit in Immokalee.

Since the immigration law took effect July 1, he said he is seeing fewer patients. The new law, however, does not apply to him, but it does apply to hospitals.

Lee Health said it understands “these questions can cause concern, but they want to assure patients that their access to care won’t be compromised regardless of how they respond.”

The hospital system also said they won’t be required to submit the names of patients, just the status.

NCH and Physician’s Regional have not responded to WINK’s request for comment.

“There is a lot of people that have moved out of this town, you know. In fact, I have like a complete family just moving now, just picking up everything they can and leaving town,” said Gonzalez, who works with Community Medical Center.

Gonzalez said some migrants were afraid to see him before the new law.

“They were afraid of being caught by immigration,” Gonzalez said. “Now, with this law, they’re not even coming to the doctor. This is gonna have a great impact in, you know, in the medical care of those poor people out there.”

The new law requires healthcare providers who take Medicaid to collect data on patients’ citizenship status.

However, it only applies to hospitals, and Gonzalez needs to get the word out.

“I don’t take Medicare or Medicaid, so I think I won’t have that problem. You know, I’m open to all the patients that can come over here,” Gonzalez said.

One woman told WINK News the big question is whether farmworkers like herself will return to Southwest Florida.

Some left out of fear, but others also left because it is the offseason.

“I don’t know if they’ll be back or not, because now a lot of them are scared,” the woman said in Spanish.

Gonzalez said the law doesn’t change a thing for him.

He’s open for business, just like he’s been for the last 14 years.

“My mission will always be helping people, as many as I can, you know, and I’m open, and I will always be open for people that need medical care,” Gonzalez said.

Read Lee Health’s full statement below:

“Lee Health recognizes the diverse
backgrounds and needs of individuals seeking medical care, including immigrants. In accordance with the new immigration law, starting on Saturday, July 1, we began asking questions about immigration status on our registration forms. We understand that answering these questions may cause concerns, but we want to assure all patients that their access to necessary care will never be compromised, regardless of how they respond.
Lee Health will report the aggregated information as required.  We will not report the names of patients who identify as being not lawfully present in the U.S. In fact, the law prohibits the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s from requiring us to disclose this information.
It is essential to note that this law specifically pertains to individuals seeking care at a hospital as an inpatient or emergency department patient. Patients who seek care at our physician practices or outpatient locations will not be affected in any way.
We appreciate the trust placed in Lee Health as a provider of healthcare services, and we remain committed to serving the needs of our community with empathy and respect.”

Read NCH’s full statement below:

“We have crafted a flyer for patients and the following in response to the new legislation. We do not create policy – we only comply with the law. 
 
Note that a patient can decline to answer or indicate they are unable to respond.  These questions are based on the Florida law and guidance from AHCA as to what we must request.
 
We won’t report individuals to law enforcement.  We are only reporting aggregate data that is de-identified.  
 
We also must report the cost of care for patients who are not here legally. Again, only aggregate data that is de-identified will be provided.  
 
The law also requires all Florida companies with 25 or more employees to use E-Verify for employees. NCH has used this service for a long time, so we already in compliance.
 
The law applies to hospitals, not individual physicians/groups.”