Colorado - Illegal Immigrants no longer eligble for state health care

Nitngale · Sep 15, 2006

Given that current stats rate many European health (based on life span, child health, births, etc) much higher than that in the USA, we haven't got a lot of room to talk. Barring some of the war torn/former communist bloc countries, many have long enjoyed less expensive (based on per capita spending) and better health care.

Maybe they're just bad at trauma:rolleyes: I think it's the wine keepin' them alive:wink2:

pickledpepperRN · Sep 15, 2006

I can't blame the healthcare provided Princess Diana or my Mom.

My Mom had insulen dependent diabetes for decades with all the complications. They were in Europe because she had gotten some eyesight back and wanted to see so much before she became blind. She had also been in CHF and would have eventually been on dialysis. I don't know exactly what her care was because my Dad was not a nurse. He said a nurses was almost always with her. They didn't speak English or Spanish so he couldn't communicate verbally.

She was put on a bedpan, curtain closed, and a few minutes later a large group ran in and worked on her. One told him she had died. Some were crying. My Mom was a well dressed, well groomed, slender, and stylish woman. Smiling and enthusiastic she didn't look as sick as we knew she was.

Wonderful spirit but her tissues were decomposing.

Right here in my city I refused to work registry at a hospital with a premier trauma surgeon and team.

BUT post op they called unstable patients on vents, drips, chest tubes, and other drains "telemetry". I was to be charge for 19 of these patients with an LVN the only licensed nurse.

The institute of Medicine has reported that understaffing causes deaths to "failure to rescue" the equivalent of two jumbo jets crashing every week.

We waste our time and resources transferring patients to "preferred providers", people are denied care, doctors don't tell them of tests and treatments their insurance won't pay for.

Healt insurance corporations own uildings where many smart people work. None of them care for any patients. I think they need to do useful work.

CarVsTree · Dec 19, 2006

Sorry about your Mother, SpaceNurse. I don't know how much I would trust European healthcare since the botched job they did on Princess Di back in '97

I know this post is old, by I am very curious by your allegation. Wasn't Princess Di an unrestrained rear passenger s/p MVC @ a high rate of speed, with an ETOH+ driver? Was she not also found unresponsive at the scene? Wasn't she also ETOH+? I would think that all of these questions were MAJOR contributing factors.

What job did they botch?

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 19, 2006

Why do their children become citizens just because they are born here? This is not right, it puts a burden on our society.

Children born in the US are citizens as a matter of constitutional law. In other words the US constitution defines any child born on US soil (with 2 narrowly drawn exceptions for children of diplomats and military attache's) as an American citizen.

The assumption that children are a burden on society is just wrong. The Children are the basis of our future as a country. Denying education or health care to our own citizens is bad public policy. I frankly don't give a rats behind about the origins of any childs family. I just want to see our society invest in children in a way that sets them up to become fully functioning members of society. The developmental research clearly shows that children who grow up in poverty, without benefit of proper health, vision, dental or educational care are far more likely to grow up to become adults who are clients of the mental health or correctional systems.

pickledpepperRN · Dec 19, 2006

Sorry about your Mother, SpaceNurse. I don't know how much I would trust European healthcare since the botched job they did on Princess Di back in '97

My mom died several years ago. I thank you for your kind words because we who know of knew a wonderful mother are blessed. Along with my children, DH, and entire family we miss her every day.

BUT while she didn't expect to die on that trip she knew her health was poor. She had every diabetic complication except amputation. This was her last chance to travel. She had been diabetic since childhood.

I do not believe she would have lived had she been in a Magnet hospital here in the USA.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 19, 2006

I think a lot of people are attributing to illegal immigrants things that can be attributed to human beings in general....freeloading, a sense of entitlement, "what's in it for me?", and the list could go on. Get any group of 10 million people together -- regardless of sex, nationality, legal status, skin color, or religion -- and you are going to have people who want something for nothing and people who demand things they don't necessarily deserve. You are going to have far more people who aren't like that. We have plenty of home-grown folk who want to sit on their butt and collect disability while I work mine off to provide for me and mine. Don't blame it all on illegal immigration.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many immigrants, legal and otherwise. By and large they came here because there was nothing for them in their home countries. People who have been to those countries (not just the resort areas...) will know what I mean. My husband and I are in the midst of immigration paperwork for him as well. I know what it is like to try and navigate the mounds of paperwork and fees and nitpicking. Our system is not exactly user-friendly, even for a deserving user. People would come here legally if there were an easier way for them to do so. Trust me, no one would go through what most folks go through to get here if there were an easier way.

Only 1,000 unskilled worker visas were granted from INS (or ICE, whatever they are now) in 2005. Of those 1,000, exactly 2 were granted to Mexicans. Hmmm.

My husband and I have been married for almost 5 years. Our house, our bank accounts, our vehicle, everything is in both our names. We have a child. We pay taxes. We are no closer to him having permanent residency than we were the day we got married. Does that make me mad? You bet. If he can't get his papers straight, what hope is there for a Mexican (or Honduran, or Salvadoran, pick your country) peasant?

For some thought provoking reads, try the following books:

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

By the Lake of Sleeping Children and The Devil's Highway both by Luis Alberto Urrea

Coyotes by Ted Conover

With These Hands by Daniel Rothenberg

So there's my $.02

tddowney · Dec 19, 2006

Emergently, everyone is going to be treated...even if only to the point that life threats are corrected. But...illegal imigrants in Colorado are not going to get their tonsils out...they are not going to get free antibiotics or allergy meds or B/P meds or statins. They are going to have to pay for their insulin. They are not going to get free school physicals or sports physicals. They are going to have to pay for things that are not taken care of in the ER...

The cynic might just think there's lots of money to be made in the supplying of forged citizenship/immigration documents. :uhoh3:

ABQLNDRN · Dec 19, 2006

Children born in the US are citizens as a matter of constitutional law. In other words the US constitution defines any child born on US soil (with 2 narrowly drawn exceptions for children of diplomats and military attache's) as an American citizen.
The assumption that children are a burden on society is just wrong. The Children are the basis of our future as a country. Denying education or health care to our own citizens is bad public policy. I frankly don't give a rats behind about the origins of any childs family. I just want to see our society invest in children in a way that sets them up to become fully functioning members of society. The developmental research clearly shows that children who grow up in poverty, without benefit of proper health, vision, dental or educational care are far more likely to grow up to become adults who are clients of the mental health or correctional systems.

And how much money will this investment consist of? I think we are over-investing as it is. How much more do I have to deny my children so that I can provide for the children of those who steal from me?

Check out FBI crime stats for Los Angeles. Well over 75% of all violent crimes are committed by Mexican illegal immigrants--and their children. We would all LIKE to see them become functioning members of society. Very few are coming over here to become contributing members of American society. They are coming here to parasitize our welfare system.

I wouldn't have a problem helping to support these people if they were making an effort to be here LEGALLY. Like, if they PAID TAXES and SOCIAL SECURITY. It's like someone breaking into your house and saying that you should let them stay there since you are better off than them, and you should provide them with food, money and a college education.

I am SICK AND TIRED of my hard-earned money going to support international thieves. Just like previous posters said, why are we so concerned about taking on the extra burden of providing for ILLEGAL immigrants when there are plenty of Americans that are not being provided for?

As far as them working for less than what Amercians will--I say it should be illegal for American corporations to pay less than minimum wage to ANYONE. If they are going to do that, these companies need to do all of their production IN Mexico. That way the workers don't even have to leave their country to get the same pay that they are working for now.

Additionally, I am sick of struggling to learn Spanish to speak to the 30-50% of our patients who speak Spanish ONLY. We had a patient tell a nurse a couple of nights that she "should really learn Spanish so that (she) could talk to her" (through a translator, of course). So now what? We should allow illegals to manipulate our goodwill (that is manifested through our welfare system) by forcing us to take care of them in their language?

Just because we share a border with Mexico does not obligate us to give them what we and our ancestors fought, shed blood and died for. If they want to do better for themselves, maybe they should overthrow their government instead of throwing up on ours.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2006

And how much money will this investment consist of? I think we are over-investing as it is. How much more do I have to deny my children so that I can provide for the children of those who steal from me?
Check out FBI crime stats for Los Angeles. Well over 75% of all violent crimes are committed by Mexican illegal immigrants--and their children. We would all LIKE to see them become functioning members of society. Very few are coming over here to become contributing members of American society. They are coming here to parasitize our welfare system.
I wouldn't have a problem helping to support these people if they were making an effort to be here LEGALLY. Like, if they PAID TAXES and SOCIAL SECURITY. It's like someone breaking into your house and saying that you should let them stay there since you are better off than them, and you should provide them with food, money and a college education.
I am SICK AND TIRED of my hard-earned money going to support international thieves. Just like previous posters said, why are we so concerned about taking on the extra burden of providing for ILLEGAL immigrants when there are plenty of Americans that are not being provided for?
As far as them working for less than what Amercians will--I say it should be illegal for American corporations to pay less than minimum wage to ANYONE. If they are going to do that, these companies need to do all of their production IN Mexico. That way the workers don't even have to leave their country to get the same pay that they are working for now.
Additionally, I am sick of struggling to learn Spanish to speak to the 30-50% of our patients who speak Spanish ONLY. We had a patient tell a nurse a couple of nights that she "should really learn Spanish so that (she) could talk to her" (through a translator, of course). That pt. obviously woke up on the wrong side of the border! So now what? We should allow thieves to manipulate our goodwill (that is manifested through our welfare system) by forcing us to take care of them in their language?
Just because we share a border with Mexico does not obligate us to give them what we our ancestors fought, shed blood and died for. If they want to do better for themselves, maybe they should overthrow their government instead of throwing up on ours.

This is so well put. I know it's hard for some to think this sort of thing (and hard to read). If we have any measure of compassion we want to let all the immigrants come over and help them in any and every way. But then reality and limited resources checks that desire.

I think many who don't live at the border just don't understand. Walk in our shoes before you instantly decide the above is hateful. It's not quite that simple.

ABQLNDRN · Dec 19, 2006

Exactly--and I just have very strong opinions on this subject, so forgive me if I sound cruel. I have many friends of many races and nationalities and appreciate diversity. But this isn't about that. It's about resources being tapped out.

I don't mind helping those who are trying hard and are just unable to make it, despite their very best efforts. If people want to come here to have a better life, great! There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a better life---but DO IT LEGALLY. That's all I 'm asking. Don't come to our country expecting hand outs, no matter what country you're coming here from! Contribute to our society, pay the taxes that the rest of us pay! I think the world in general has gotten used to the idea that the U.S. will fix everyone else's problems, and we are therefore expected to do so, but we can only be spread so thinly. There are only so many resources to go around. Where does the demand end?

I understand wanting to have a piece of the American pie--but if that's what you want, then be willing to put in some time in the kitchen.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2006

Healt insurance corporations own uildings where many smart people work. None of them care for any patients. I think they need to do useful work.

I cannot let this comment slide by without acknowledgment. This is just so poetic, and so true.

ABQLNDRN · Dec 19, 2006

i think a lot of people are attributing to illegal immigrants things that can be attributed to human beings in general....freeloading, a sense of entitlement, "what's in it for me?", and the list could go on. get any group of 10 million people together -- regardless of sex, nationality, legal status, skin color, or religion -- and you are going to have people who want something for nothing and people who demand things they don't necessarily deserve. you are going to have far more people who aren't like that. we have plenty of home-grown folk who want to sit on their butt and collect disability while i work mine off to provide for me and mine. don't blame it all on illegal immigration. you are absolutely right about this! i agree with this as well!
i have had the opportunity to speak with many immigrants, legal and otherwise. by and large they came here because there was nothing for them in their home countries. people who have been to those countries (not just the resort areas...) will know what i mean. my husband and i are in the midst of immigration paperwork for him as well. i know what it is like to try and navigate the mounds of paperwork and fees and nitpicking. our system is not exactly user-friendly, even for a deserving user. people would come here legally if there were an easier way for them to do so. agreed--our government should facilitate the legalization process! trust me, no one would go through what most folks go through to get here if there were an easier way.
only 1,000 unskilled worker visas were granted from ins (or ice, whatever they are now) in 2005. of those 1,000, exactly 2 were granted to mexicans. hmmm.
my husband and i have been married for almost 5 years. our house, our bank accounts, our vehicle, everything is in both our names. we have a child. we pay taxes. we are no closer to him having permanent residency than we were the day we got married. does that make me mad? you bet. if he can't get his papers straight, what hope is there for a mexican (or honduran, or salvadoran, pick your country) peasant?
for some thought provoking reads, try the following books:
enrique's journey by sonia nazario
by the lake of sleeping children and the devil's highway both by luis alberto urrea
coyotes by ted conover
with these hands by daniel rothenberg
so there's my $.02

for those seeking legal status, the system does need revision--there's much work to do.