Hospitals that receive Medicaid funding are now required to ask clients about their immigration status

One of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most controversial immigration policies has led to women shunning mammograms and prenatal care out of fear that they’ll be forced to reveal their immigration status.

At issue is a new Florida law requiring hospitals that receive Medicaid dollars to ask patients about their immigration status. Undocumented migrants in Florida are now steering clear of hospitals and clinics, worried that they’ll be arrested or deported, according to 10 immigration advocates, lawmakers and health care officials.

Thelisha Thomas, executive director of the nonprofit Healthy Start Coalition in Orange County, said she’s seen fewer pregnant migrant women seeking treatment even in emergency situations — and at least a 10 percent overall decrease in the number of pregnancies the clinic directly oversees.

One pregnant patient experiencing alarming pain nearly refused to go to an emergency room out of fear that she’d be arrested and deported, she said. A staffer at the clinic had to personally escort the patient to the hospital.