ME LD429

Licensed hospitals in Maine must collect immigration status information from patients seeking care, while informing patients that providing this information is voluntary and does not affect their ability to receive medical care

"Asylum seeker" is defined as an individual meeting the federal refugee definition who has applied for asylum, been found to have credible fear of persecution in expedited removal proceedings, or is asserting asylum as a defense against removal

Hospitals must submit quarterly reports to the Department of Health and Human Services beginning January 1, 2027, detailing aggregate medical care costs for asylum seeker patients

The department must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature beginning March 1, 2027, summarizing aggregate asylum seeker medical care costs statewide

The department must annually request reimbursement from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for asylum seeker medical care costs, beginning July 1, 2027