Come to America to Have your Baby!!

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Los Angeles, California, national and world news, jobs, real estate, cars - Los Angeles Times

(The link to this article doesnt work, type 'medicaid' in the search engine and the article is 'Delivering Dual Benefits')

A couple excerpts from the article:

One of the most controversial aspects of coverage has been prenatal care. In 1989, California passed a law guaranteeing prenatal care to all impoverished women, with the state footing the bill. Last year, it began to tap federal funds dedicated to healthcare for working families, under the theory that the fetus would ultimately be an American child. Some other states have done the same

In Los Angeles County's public and private hospitals, undocumented women accounted for 41,240 Medi-Cal births in 2004, roughly half the deliveries covered by the public program.

[Katnip, RN]

It's very common here even on the Eastern side of the U.S.

Pregnant women fly in, often first class. Have their babies for free, then in a few weeks, fly home. I assume it's because they can have their new citizen move here when he or she is old enough and bring mom and dad.

It's a big problem for health departments.

[banditrn]

They are called 'anchor' babies, and once they are born here, we, the American taxpayer are responsible for them.

[prmenrs, RN]

It's only about 13 miles from the TJ border to my hosptal. They sure don't have to fly to get here!!!

It just seems like the norm to me. I decided a long time ago that it was not MY job to worry about it. If TPTB want to deal w/it, great, if not, oh well, job security!

[Freedom42]

It's very common here even on the Eastern side of the U.S.

Pregnant women fly in, often first class. Have their babies for free, then in a few weeks, fly home. I assume it's because they can have their new citizen move here when he or she is old enough and bring mom and dad.

It's a big problem for health departments.

I hadn't heard of this trend on the East Coast. Where are these women coming from, and what problem do they pose for health departments? Can you elaborate or point me to a source of information? Thanks.

[cannoli]

Same thing back in the 70's, in Hawaii, rich women would fly in from Hong Kong, or arabian princesses with their entourages would fly in, so their kid would be an American citizen.

Maybe they should change the law so that the parents have to be citizens first before their kid can be.

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Many rich women in S. Korea and a few other nations come here to have their babies because, with dual citizenship, their children can avoid conscription when they turn 18.

Plus, they get preferential treatment (as citizens) to come here to go to school.

It's even a valid excuse by which to request a VISA. "Birth Tourism" is the term for it. From the link below: "It is not illegal for a woman to come to the U.S. to give birth."

Birth tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For many, the whole 'anchor baby' thing is about a welfare grab. For those with money, it's about other benefits.

~faith,

Timothy.

[Katnip, RN]

I hadn't heard of this trend on the East Coast. Where are these women coming from, and what problem do they pose for health departments? Can you elaborate or point me to a source of information? Thanks.

Most of the women are coming from South American countries, at least in this area. But like Timothy pointed out, the mothers can be from Korea or any other country for that matter. It's a problem for health departments because often they stay a few months and expect the health departments to take care of all the immunizations for the babies before they fly back home. Obviously there are limited resources.

I got the information from doing a little volunteer work in Maryland. I noticed the trend and a public health nurse said it's very common. And yes, the mothers have no problem telling everyone about it. Why would they? We can't refuse them care.

Timothy is right. There are multiple reasons women from around the world do this.

[LydiaNN]

There's no point in not providing prenatal care to pregnant women, however they got here and whether they're legal or not. Their children will be American citizens by virtue of their birth in the United States, and surely we're not going to debate the cost v benefit analysis of prenatal care. It's a non-starter.

[fiestynurse]

In California alone, $400 million is spent on caring for these "anchor" babies. Currently, one in five babies in California are born to illegal immigrants.

Close the borders. Change the law regarding citizenship.

[lindarn]

In California alone, $400 million is spent on caring for these "anchor" babies. Currently, one in five babies in California are born to illegal immigrants.

Close the borders. Change the law regarding citizenship.

I also agree that the concept of "birthright citizenship", has come and gone, and overstayed its welcome. I would make it a priority to end this abuse of the American Citizens, and not only end the practice, but revoke the citizenship of those who were granted it in the past decade.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[Private Peds Nurse, LPN]

What can I say other than America does NOT take good enough care of OUR OWN NEEDY LEGAL citizens, but, we provide care for illegal immigrants? My mother is 72 and disabled as my stepfather is also, and they live off less than four hundred dollars a month and only get $65 a month in food stamps. When I buy groceries and take it to my parents, my stepfather teared up the other day and said I don't know what we would do without your help. Where is the justice in that? Yet come on in illegals and we give you free medical care, food stamps and forget our own elderly and poor????? It's a sad time when we give give give to illegals and forget, or better yet for a lack of the proper term.....DENY our own the so needed help that they deserve.....Lord help us all!!!!!:o:o