Why do hospitals ask what state you were born in?

There are several reasons why hospitals ask what state you were born in:

- Statistical purposes: Hospitals collect information about the birth state of patients for various statistical purposes such as tracking population trends and understanding the geographic distribution of patients. This data can be used for planning, research, and policymaking in the healthcare sector.

- Medical history: The state where a person is born can sometimes be relevant to their medical history. For example, certain regions have higher rates of certain diseases or genetic disorders, and knowing a patient's state of birth can help healthcare professionals identify potential health risks and provide appropriate care.

- Risk assessment: Some conditions, such as certain genetic diseases or exposure to environmental hazards, may be more common in specific regions. Knowing the state of birth can help hospitals assess a patient's potential risks and determine appropriate screening or monitoring.

- Medicaid/Insurance eligibility: In the United States, hospital may collect this information to determine eligibility for state-funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid. Medicaid eligibility criteria can vary by state, and knowing a person's state of birth can help hospitals determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

- Legal requirements: Some states have specific legal requirements regarding the collection of birth state information for medical records. These requirements may be related to reporting obligations, data sharing, or public health surveillance.