I had a friend who is a teacher in a Phoenix area elementary school ask me a question that I could not answer regarding medical care for some one in the US illegally. My friend has a student who is 8 years old. Her student and her parents are here in the US illegally. My friend got very emotional as she described having to watch her student suffer from a kidney disease and her parents were too afraid to seek any medical help because they were too afraid to be turned in. I almost broke down in tears hearing this terrible story. I'm not sure what the laws are as it relates to seeking medical attention and a health care provider's obligation of confidentiality as it relates to a patient's citizen status. Could you make any recommendations as to where I could recommend my friend look into getting her student some low cost medical help without jeopardizing their ability to stay in the U.S.?
Thanks,
Kelley
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I don't know how the government is currently handling things, but here's some more information worth investigating:
U.S. to pay medical bills for illegal immigrants
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/10/heallth.illegal.ap/
ILLEGAL ALIENS TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY & HEALTHCARE IN U.S.
http://www.newswithviews.com/NWVexclusive/exclusive112.htm
If the child was born in the U.S., she would be treated the same as an American citizen - at least, that's how it has been for as long as I can remember. I hope you can help this family.
April 2, 2008 - 5:01pmThis Comment
Kelley,
It's great you took the initiative to help someone else.
As it turns out this family may have a few options in the Phoenix area.
One option according to a rep with AHCCCS KidCare is one of Arizona's Community Health Centers. Try
http://www.aachc.org/sites/mountpark.php -- in the West Valley. The center provides various services and allows payment on a sliding scale.
For other locations, visit http://www.aachc.org/index.php
Another option may be Las Fuentes Health Clinic of Guadalupe which has made it their goal to provide health care to the uninsured. You don't necessarily have to live in Guadalupe to receive care from what I've been told. The first visit is $80 and subsequent visits are $50.
They can be reached by calling (480) 777-2263 or by visiting
http://www.lasfuentes.org/.
Please keep us updated Kelley. Thanks.
April 2, 2008 - 3:21pmThis Comment