[Q.]

3rdShiftGuy had a great ethical question in the 17y/o organ transplant tragedy that somewhat went unanswered. I think it would be a great thing to debate and discuss, but to avoid confusion and hurt feelings, made a new thread.

Here was 3rdShiftGuy's question:

The question is, should persons come from other countries, legally and with funds, get organ donations from our health care system?

What are your thoughts on this?

[fergus51]

The wait lists as far as I know make no distinction between rich and poor and legal immigrant or born citizen. That said, I am not in favor of people (non-residents) coming here for an organ and then going back home, and I don't think it's allowed anyways unless the donor is a family member or friend willing to donate a kidney or something like that. Cadaver organs go to our residents.

[Spidey's mom]

My first reaction is to say that if they are here legally and have funds, then they should be put on the list as everyone else is and then just use the protocol already set up for who, what, when, where and how.

I think this happens so seldom that it probably isn't the same magnitude of problem as illegals coming here to use our health care system.

Maybe helping the country of origin set up a better health care system would also be something to consider. Do they not do transplants in Mexico?

Having said all that, we here at work are still uncomfortable with people from other countries coming here, getting ahead of someone who is a citizen, and getting a transplant.

Complicated is an understatement . . especially when you look at photos of Jesica.

[Q.]

Cadaver organs go to our residents.

Really? This is true? So, an illegal comes to the USA, but is "in process" of obtaining legal citizenship, but becomes ill and is placed on the transplant list (and I understood it's prioritized by severity of condition). If two states away, a 24 y/o gets into a car accident and suffers head trauma and dies on the scene and is an organ donor. you're saying the illegal won't be eligible? I'm just asking for clarity.

[fergus51]

From what I understand that's the policy in Canada. I don't know at what stage of the process they are considered eligible, but from what I understand if say an American shows up on vacation in Banff and needs a heart, he goes back to the US to get one. I should look that up.

[fergus51]

Went onto our provincial and national transplant sites and the only stats talk about Canadian and provincial residents. Nothing about foreigners, generally because they can go to Asia and buy an organ easily and relatively cheaply with little wait time.

[MishlB]

Originally posted by stevielynn
Maybe helping the country of origin set up a better health care system would also be something to consider. Do they not do transplants in Mexico?

Having said all that, we here at work are still uncomfortable with people from other countries coming here, getting ahead of someone who is a citizen, and getting a transplant.

I can't believe this!!! Do they not do transplants in Mexico?? What a comment. The family struggeld financially to get their daughter the care she needed, and what happens? She likely will die due to a "mistake" made here in the US. Setting up better health care in other countries is not the fix to this problem. Being a poor struggling minority in this country does not get you special treatment...just the opposite. Look at out history.

[Q.]

Let's all remember that this thread is not about Jesica and her situation, nor is it about minorities. It's about foreigners recieving organ donations from American citizens and if this should be allowable.

[Spidey's mom]

Mishl . . . if you read the first part of my message, I thought she should be allowed to have the surgery. I was just wondering about the state of healthcare in Mexico and why people feel they have to come to America and maybe the LONG-TERM fix is to export our wonderful healthcare expertise to countries that need it. Or export democracy . . . . .

I never said what you think I said. Or at least didn't mean to give you that impression.

[Q.]

And yes, Stevielynn's question was I feel, legit. Why do foreigners come to the USA for transplants to begin with? Are they not common in other countries? Are the risks higher and if so, why?