9/9/2009 6:00:00 AM Letter: Mitigate illegal immigration, health costs
At one point during the town hall healthcare meeting on Aug. 31, I thought the discussion was going to sidetrack totally into illegal immigration. The comments and applause against illegals became increasingly vociferous, foreshadowing an even more rancorous debate that's been simmering on the back burner but sure to move forward in the next year or two.
Three times Rep. Norm Dicks was asked if illegal immigrants were being included in the healthcare bills. He answered unequivocally three times, "No, they are not." That was the correct answer. But the right answer is, "They should be."
Why? Because after all the rhetoric and passion has settled, most anyone in that meeting, including the commentators, would not ask for credentials before helping a sick or injured person on the street. (One would hope.)
Get real, people. Did Jesus in attending the sick ever ask for green cards? Did the Good Samaritan require a visa before helping a stranger?
Other countries - for example, Spain - do not deny services to illegal immigrants and yet they have comprehensive health care for all at much less cost than here in the United States.
Here's an idea to help mitigate both illegal immigration and spiraling healthcare costs: Since Mexico has already become a destination for medical tourism, with 56 world-class hospitals and more on the way, why not reimburse our eligible insured for their medical expenses accrued down there, thereby cutting costs to one-third of similar services performed here while providing work for Mexicans in their own country?
PAUL THOMAS
Port Townsend
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Article comment by:
David Olds
Jesus was an individual. Governments can't act like individuals. Governments can't turn the other cheek. "Okay, you killed 3,000 of our people, the USA forgives you and sends you money". Or "here, you stole your way into this country, you don’t pay taxes or get car insurance so the government will give turn the other cheek and give you free health care". We can follow Jesus individually but to base government policies on the same tenants would be ludicrous. We would last as a country about 3 ½ weeks. There are evil lawlewss people in the world and the government is there to punish them.
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Allen Frank
Paul-- I encourage you to start a Foundation with your own money and solicit contributions to pay for Illegal Alien Health Insurance. Obama is running up a massive debt already. Your idea will take the projected $9 Trillion Deficit and raise it a few Trillion more. Folks are getting tired of working hard and paying for Illegal Aliens. We are a nation of laws....and have allowed Immigration Laws to be violated en masse.
One other point..Rep. Dicks was correct that illegal aliens were precluded from the house Bill he voted for. But the good news for you is that Dicks failed to tell us that there is no enforcement clause! So illegals can get coverage by simply lying. Do you think someone who is in America illegally will have any problem lying to get Health Care Coverage?? Perhaps you can become an activist in educating Illegals on lying??
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Article comment by:
hospitalmd
I am a medical doctor, and admit illegal immigrants to hospital every day. There is no expectation that they pay for their care. They are signed up for Medicaid ASAP by social workers (the only way the hospital is paid. Doctors care for them for free).
Conversely, legal residents (immigrant or not) are expected to pay for their care. They are billed, sent to collections, etc. often w/ personal devastating consequences.
1. It is illegal to refuse to treat a person, emergent or not, in the ER
2. It is illegal to transfer a patient, based on ability to pay (EMTALA)
Currrently, illegal immigrants preferentially receive 100% free medical care. That will continue under any of the proposed bills.
I encourage you to research how Canadian Provinces, England, France, Australia, and... yes... Spain, handle the following w/ their systems:
1. Legal residents ( immigrant or not) 2. Legal residency applied for and pending 3. Illegal resident
I am certain Jesus would have cared for all sick who came to him ( the stories describe that). So do we healthcare workers.
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