This session will focus on extending the fundamental values of the health care professions to the care of all patients, including those in the custody of law enforcement. Law enforcement officers have long brought patients to hospitals and clinics, and these health care organizations are increasingly managing such interactions during surges of immigration enforcement. Hospitals have established procedures commonly called forensic patient policies. We will analyze such policies and note the ethical limitations commonly in evidence. We will consider how better practices might be implemented that provide greater flexibility to respect patient rights and human dignity while not compromising provider safety.
Learning Objectives: After this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Identify the fundamental institutional and professional values that guide the delivery of health care services.
- Analyze current practices in delivering health care to patients who are in the custody of law enforcement.
- Apply professional values to develop enhanced policies and practices that honor the dignity of all patients, including those in custody or incarcerated.
Resources:
- American College of Emergency Physicians, Law Enforcement Presence in the Emergency Department: A Toolkit by the State Legislative & Regulatory Committee Developed in Collaboration with the Diversity, Equity& Inclusion Committee.
- Charles Boyd Barrett. “I Can’t Tell You’: Attorneys, Relatives Struggle to Find Hospitalized ICE Detainees. KFF Health News, January 30, 2026. HHS, DOJ, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule: A Guide for Law Enforcement.
- HHS, DOJ. HIPAA Privacy Rule: A Guide for Law Enforcement.
- Monica Maalouf, Amy Blair, Mark Kuczewski. (2025) Treating Fear: Steps to Help Your Immigrant Patients. Health Progress 106(4): 9-14, 2025.
Speaker(s)
Mark G. Kuczewski, PhD, is the Fr. Michael I. English, S.J., Professor of Medical Ethics and the director of the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Kuczewski is a past president of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH). Along with two physician colleagues, he created the Sanctuary Doctoring program to provide resources to physicians in supporting their immigrant patients. Dr. Kuczewski has received numerous awards for his advocacy for respecting the dignity of immigrants, including the International Association for Bioethics Award (IAB) for Bioethics Service in the Face of Challenges (2023).