Hobbs Vetoes Another Transparency Measure to Expose Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Hobbs Vetoes Another Transparency Measure

to Expose Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Judiciary & Elections Committee Chair Wendy Rogers is condemning Governor Katie Hobbs for vetoing another Republican-backed transparency bill to shine a light on the cost of government-funded healthcare for illegal aliens.

"Our hardworking, law-abiding citizens have a right to know how much of their money is going towards paying for the medical services of those who've willfully chosen to break our laws by entering our country illegally," said Senator Rogers. "The state's Medicaid program is intended to help vulnerable Americans, like seniors, the disabled community, and impoverished children, receive the medical care they need, when they need it. Unfortunately, these taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits are being abused and have created an incentive for illegal immigration. For the sake of fiscal responsibility, the State of Arizona must know how much of a toll this is taking on our state budget and our state's medical system."

A Congressional Budget Office report released last October reveals $27 billion in federal and state dollars was spent on Emergency Medicaid for illegal aliens between FY 2017 and FY 2023.

SB 1268, sponsored by Senator Rogers, would have required hospitals in Arizona to include a section on their patient admission form giving individuals the option to indicate whether they are lawfully present in the United States. The admission form would have included a statement assuring patients that their response would not affect the care they receive, nor would they be reported to immigration authorities. The bill also required the Department of Health Services (DHS) to submit annual reports to the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the Secretary of the State detailing the number of admissions and emergency department visits made by patients who indicate their citizenship status, and the number of non-citizens receiving care through Arizona's Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). This report may be used to address how uncompensated care impacts the ability of hospitals to provide services to the lawful Arizona citizens. Additionally, SB 1268 prohibited DHS from releasing any confidential information collected on the admission form unless warranted by an active investigation.

"Governor Hobbs' veto of SB 1268 is a slap in the face to Arizona taxpayers who are demanding accountability and transparency from state government," said Senator Rogers. "Our medical system is overwhelmed, and law-abiding citizens are finding themselves waiting months to receive medical treatment. This legislation would have helped us obtain the data necessary to make informed decisions on how to tackle this problem so that Arizona's healthcare system can be viable and responsive to the needs of Americans. Shame on Governor Hobbs."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov