The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the General Accounting Office surveyed hospitals in Georgia and nine other states believed to be home to nearly 80 percent of the illegal immigrants in this country.
The paper says one of the few firm numbers is from Georgia and shows the costs in Georgia went up 349 percent between 2000 and 2002 for a program using state and federal money to provide emergency services to illegal immigrants, primarily childbirths.
The AJC says it obtained a copy of the report after it was sent to several members of Congress, including Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who requested that the GAO conduct a survey. According to the paper, the report is to be made public next month.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/5/158373