A recent survey reveals that immigrants in Florida, including U.S. citizens, are increasingly hesitant to seek medical care following the enactment of stringent anti-immigrant laws. Senate Bill 1718, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023, mandates hospitals accepting Medicaid funds to inquire about patients’ immigration status and report the number of immigrants they serve. This legislation has created a climate of fear among immigrant communities, significantly impacting their willingness to access health care.
Alex, a pseudonym for a research subject, has observed firsthand the detrimental effects of this law. Despite having legal documentation, Alex has seen many of his patients, both undocumented and legally residing immigrants, avoid necessary medical care due to fear of being questioned about their status. This reluctance extends to U.S. citizens in mixed-status families, who also hesitate to seek care.
The survey, conducted between May and July 2024, included 466 immigrants and U.S.-born children of immigrants. Nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. citizens and one-third of U.S. citizens reported hesitating to seek medical care in the year following the law’s passage. One participant shared, “I was very sick recently and needed medical care, but I was scared.”
The implications of SB 1718 are profound, particularly as the U.S. faces outbreaks of communicable diseases like measles and the flu. The fear instilled by this legislation not only affects the health of immigrants but also poses a broader public health risk.
See: “Survey shows immigrants in Florida – even US citizens – are less likely to seek health care after passage of anti-immigrant laws” (February 21, 2025)
