National physician groups condemn Arizona SB 1070

(For more information about SB 1070, my colleague Brady McCombs has written a detailed analysis of the law.)

“This law sets an abhorrent precedent of government-endorsed racial profiling, discrimination, and intimidation," said Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, President of the National Physicians Alliance.

“Why would undocumented immigrants, or legal immigrants without their papers handy, go to the emergency room or a healthcare center that can be policed?"

 There's a very direct and proven link between fear of being asked for papers and avoiding healthcare, the doctor's group says.

Signatories include: American Academy of Family Physicians ; Asian Health Services Community Health Center (Oakland, CA); Association of Clinicians for the Underserved ;  National Physicians Alliance; Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare; Doctors for Global Health, Board of Directors; Physicians for Human Rights; and the United States Chapter of the International Society for the Psychological Treatments of the Schizophrenias and other Psychoses (ISPS-US).

Their statement:

 As health care providers committed to human rights and health justice, we strongly condemn Arizona SB 1070, which was signed into law on April 23, 2010 by Governor Jan Brewer.  This unprecedented law requires law enforcement officials to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally to confirm their immigration or citizenship status.  It also criminalizes the failure to carry identity documents that legitimize a person’s presence in America.

This law will promote racial profiling, discrimination, and intimidation by law enforcement officials, who are routinely present in emergency rooms and other health care settings.  The law will create new obstacles to obtaining needed health care.  It is an affront to human rights and a devastating step backwards for the health and well being of the entire nation.

·         American Academy of Family Physicians

·         Asian Health Services Community Health Center

·         Association of Clinicians for the Underserved

·         National Physicians Alliance

·         Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare

·         Doctors for Global Health, Board of Directors

·         Physicians for Human Rights

·         United States Chapter of the International Society for the Psychological Treatments of the Schizophrenias and other Psychoses (ISPS-US)