Janice Schakowsky: “This bill, regardless what the gentleman says, would require doctors and nurses to be part of enforcing Federal…”

“This bill, regardless what the gentleman says, would require doctors and nurses to be part of enforcing Federal immigration laws while threatening the health and well-being of our communities. But do not take my word for it. The American Medical Association says ``This bill would effectively turn physicians and other health care providers into Border Patrol agents. By requiring physicians to report patients and perhaps withhold necessary care, this bill would, in effect, require physicians to violate the Hippocratic Oath. Finally, by discouraging undocumented individuals from seeking medical care for problems that might cause harm to others, such as communicable diseases, this bill would have very negative effects on existing public health efforts.'' This bill is so ill-advised, it could allow for a woman in active labor to be deported. That is not America. We should vote ``no'' on the legislation.”