2026 - HB 592 - Patient Immigration Status Data Collection

HB 592 would require hospitals to ask for a patient's immigration status upon intake, creating unnecessary barriers to care for immigrants, who already face significant obstacles. We oppose policies that invite racial profiling and unnecessary personal data collection in health care.
HB 592 would require any hospital in Idaho that accepts Medicaid to collect a patient’s immigration status during their admission or registration process.
Patients would have to disclose whether they are:

• A U.S. citizen;
• Lawfully present in the U.S.; or
• Not lawfully present in the U.S.

Hospitals would have to send reports with this information to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jordan Redman, stated that the bill aims to foster transparency rather than enforcement; however, any legislation that deters individuals from seeking emergency or urgent care poses significant public health risks.
This bill would discourage individuals from pursuing necessary care. When care is delayed, it often results in poorer health outcomes and increased long-term expenses for both hospitals and the state.
Federal law already requires hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of status. Policies that add barriers to access may invite legal scrutiny.

Immigrants are generally ineligible for federally funded programs including:

• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

While the bill indicates that immigration status will not influence care or be disclosed to immigration authorities, fear and confusion can still discourage individuals from seeking assistance.
In health care policy, perception plays a crucial role.
Everyone deserves to access medical care, regardless of their immigration status.