St. Joseph's now sends an average of seven uninsured immigrants a month back to their native countries for treatment, often against the wishes of family members, hospital officials say. Before 2000, the hospital rarely transferred any patients out of the country, perhaps only two or three times a year, the officials said.

Not all patients who are sent back are undocumented immigrants. The hospital also is sending back legal immigrants who don't qualify for long-term Medicaid. Hospital officials attribute the practice to stricter laws and tighter controls at the state and federal levels that have made it harder for immigrants to obtain non-emergency Medicaid care, for which U.S. citizens are eligible. The hospital says the changes have forced it to transfer more immigrants to their native countries when they require long-term care and lack insurance. MORE