Bilingual practitioner urges Tahoe Forest board to clarify district policy on care for undocumented patients

During the general public comment period, Johanna Koch identified herself as a bilingual practitioner and asked the board to consider supporting or leading a public-awareness campaign explaining how the hospital will respond to undocumented people who seek care.

Koch said she has heard patients tell clinicians that they are afraid to return to clinics and requested clarity about what the law requires and how the hospital would respond if immigration authorities appeared. Her request cited concern about changes in federal administration and asked for staff and community guidance.

Board members acknowledged Koch’s request and directed staff to receive the comment and pass it along for consideration; no formal action or motion was taken during the meeting.

Why it matters

Koch framed the request as an access and public-confidence issue: if patients fear seeking care, they may forgo necessary medical treatment. The request focused on public communication — explaining legal requirements and on-the-ground hospital procedures — rather than asking the board to adopt new clinic-level rules.

Record and next steps

Board members said staff would receive Koch’s request and follow internal processes; the meeting transcript shows a brief exchange acknowledging the suggestion and passing it back to staff. No vote or directive with a required timeline was recorded in open session.