Triad health systems are asked how immigration policy changes affect local hospitals

It’s been two weeks since the Department of Homeland Security lifted the Biden administration’s restrictions on immigration law enforcement in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. 

In the days since many area hospitals have remained silent on how they plan to address the shift in federal policy. 

WFDD reached out to Novant Health, Cone Health, UNC Health Appalachian, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Ashe Memorial Hospital last week. 

Each organization received the same set of questions around how, and if, staff were trained to react in the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officers on hospital premises. 

UNC Health Appalachian and Cone Health responded.

A spokesperson for the former said the health system has established policies and procedures regarding dealing with law enforcement, including ICE. They also explained that protected health information would remain confidential unless officers have a warrant or similar court order. 

Cone Health redirected the inquiry to the North Carolina Healthcare Association. NCHA said hospitals were receiving guidance from the American Hospital Association. 

The AHA has not outlined its policies to WFDD but said they were reviewing the questions.