(August 23, 2006)--Dallas County officials say medical care provided to illegal immigrants at Parkland Memorial Hospital cost more than $22 million this fiscal year.
The estimate doesn't include emergency treatment.
It marks the first time Parkland has quantified the amount Dallas County taxpayers have spent on the care of illegal immigrants.
Parkland has sent foreign governments bills for indigent citizens who received care at the hospital.
A federal program distributes $250 million a year among providers of emergency care for illegal immigrants.
But the program doesn't include reimbursement for outpatient or clinic care provided by hospitals.
Hospital vice president Jim Perry says Parkland's emergency room treats about 50 illegal immigrants a day.
Parkland's president, Doctor Ron Anderson, says Parkland won't turn away sick or injured people who live in Dallas County, regardless of their legal status.
