Discovered an interesting article in the New England Journal of Medicine about healthcare and undocumented immigrants.
The author of the article, a doctor, says “researchers estimated that undocumented adult immigrants, who make up about 3.2% of the population, account for only about 1.5% of U.S. medical costs.”
And while undocumented immigrants account for a little over 3 percent of medical treatment the writer goes on to quote one study that found that annual per capita expenses for health care were 86% lower for uninsured immigrant children than for uninsured U.S.-born children — emergency department expenditures were more than three times as high.
Apparently, all U.S. hospitals must provide emergency care without first asking about income, insurance, or citizenship.
So the question becomes, given that nearly 12 million people are in the U.S. illegally and in a perfect world, some would say they should be legal, should primary or preventative healthcare be easier or less intimidating for non-citizens to access, should these folks only be able to receive emergency care, should they be denied care altogether or do you have another idea?
Obviously, this is a much deeper and much more nuanced topic than the information presented here. If you’d like to read more, you can read the article here.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full...
And, if you've found other resources you would like to share, feel free.
Complicated question, complicated answer...
This is the kind of issue that has so many variables it's hard to actually come to any kind of rational conclusion!
On the one hand, I believe we should play by the rules. If one is here illegally, then there is a price to be paid. If illegal residents are entitled to everything the tax payer is, then why on earth have any kind of immigration rules at all? There is a reason we pay taxes - we get our roads fixed, our trash picked up, community centers and free health care (Medicaid) as well as welfare. And hundreds of other services. If someone is working tax free, should they also have access to these 'free' services (that are not really free, but paid by our taxes)? I have a problem with that.
On the other hand, denying someone health care because they are undocumented also seems inhumane. Aren't we supposed to be better than that?
In answer - I don't have the answers. Nothing is free. We all pay. But I am a big believer in personal responsibility.
If someone comes to this country, then they should come to contribute. Not take away. America is still the land of opportunity, even in these troubled economic times. Those of us who are new to this country have a responsibility to give back, to contribute and to become an asset. Why would we want to be a liability to a country that can offer so much?
Upon saying that, I think most immigrants and ex-pats are doing much good in this country. I think we are, for the most part, an asset. 50% of silicon valley companies are made up of foreign born or first generation Americans. Foreign born people are still building this country.
Now back to your questions Tina! Sorry, I digressed...!
I don't have a definite answer. I'm in a 'on the one hand...and on the other hand...' position.
We HAVE to control illegal immigration. But we have to do it humanely and with compassion and fairness as well as a good dose of realism. How to do it, I am not sure.
I am not an American citizen and had to take a TB test, an AIDS test, had to prove my educational status as well as pass a criminal background check, sign a waiver of welfare and pay a hefty sum. I pay the same taxes as everyone else, as well as huge property taxes yet cannot vote, even in local elections which I think is wrong (if I can't vote in a presidential election then fine but I feel I should be able to vote locally where it really matters).
Does it bother me that others want to sail past all that and still benefit from services? Yes, to be honest, it does. But as an ex-pat, I didn't 'flee' my homeland and wasn't living in a hut or supporting a family of 12. I was never privileged (or even close) but I wasn't desperate either.
Hopefully someone else may have better answers than I!
I don't think I answered a darn thing! It's complicated!
Posted: Fri., May 16, 2008, 12:33 pm
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