Arizona Gov. Hull Will Attempt to Reinstate $20M for Illegal Immigrant Health Care

Arizona Gov. Jane Hull (R) expects to call a special session of the state Legislature next month to reinstate a $20 million program to provide emergency health care services to illegal immigrants, the Arizona Republic reports. Originally, the state Legislature cut the program from the state budget after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA) agreed to assume funding responsibility. However, federal officials now are saying that federal law prohibits the agency from paying for medical treatment for "most" illegal immigrants. Although Hull will "explore other solutions," she said "it appears very likely that legislative action will be necessary to address the problem." Hull said she did not expect the funds to come from the state's general budget -- which is already $200 million short -- but rather from "shifting funds from other health care items in the state budget." If no action is taken, individual hospitals around the state will have to absorb the cost of treating illegal immigrants (Flannery, Arizona Republic, 8/10). For further information on state health policy in Arizona, visit State Health Facts Online.