Do undocumented aliens end up getting after receiving emergency care?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 9, 2009

the emergency medical treatment and active labor act (emtala) is a united states act of congress passed in 1986 as part of the consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act. it requires hospitals and ambulance services to provide care to anyone needing emergency treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. there are no reimbursement provisions. as a result of the act, patients needing emergency treatment can be discharged only under their own informed consent or when their condition requires transfer to a hospital better equipped to administer the treatment.

http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/emtala

HM2VikingRN, RN · Aug 9, 2009

Our role is to provide safe care. We are not sworn ICE agents. (FWIW entering the US illegally is a misdemeanor level offense.....akin to a parking ticket..)

Any children born here are US citizens by definition.....

justiceforjoy · Aug 9, 2009

Police will not deal with Illegals they try to wash their hands of them as well, just like you are trying to do.
Illegals bring diseases into the USA and can put Americans health at risk.
In USA we need a new mindset regarding Illegals, Stop giving them free medical and education, and living assistance.

How exactly are you going to be able to tell if a person is an illegal immigrant?

Man, you're hella ignorant. There's so much wrong with that post. You're talking about illegal aliens as though they aren't even human. There's a word for racism, but is there a word for people like Itzallgood yet? Might as well be a form of racism.

Vito Andolini · Aug 9, 2009

Not all illegal aliens carry diseases. Not all illegal aliens are here because it was their choice to be here. Many are brought as children and see the U.S as their home. Plus, many of them pay off their bills faster than any U.S. citizen or resident. As long as they are paying for services provided we shouldn't have a problem with it.

The thing is, though, that they are so often on welfare, WIC, food stamps, disability, and get free or low rent, which you and I pay for via our state income taxes and our payroll withholding taxes. They get free public school education for lots and lots of children, which property owners pay for via our real estate property taxes. I think it's long past time for renters to also pay toward that "free" education.

I have mixed feelings about illegal immigrants. I hate to see anyone suffer and I do not believe it is necessary that anyone suffer, but for the greed or wastefulness of some of us. On the other hand, I was really rather ticked off when I'd hear inmates say that they a were collecting disability. So not only was I paying for them to be in jail but I had to pay for them to also get disability - for drug addiction! Something is rotten in Denmark or America!

Anxious Patient · Aug 9, 2009

Someone once posted here that the same expectant mother came to their clinic under 3 assumed names on 3 different occasions.

So I guess these children are stuck with the bogus names forever because it's now listed on their birth certificates. I wonder if the deception might come back to haunt them later on in life. For example, the real father can't claim them now.

agathaprevost · Aug 9, 2009

What if the NATIVE AMERICAN IINDIANS the rightful owner of America had turned away the boat with the "immigrant" founding fathers and all the immigrants from europe, russia, australia etc? I guess we would not be having this conversation right now. Would we?

allnurses Guide · Aug 9, 2009

I am curious. What happens when a hospital tries to claim funds under the EMTLA for an undocumented alien? Does the government track down the patient, after they have been treated, and start deportation proceedings?
I have always wondered about this. Does anyone actually know?

I don't think this poster intended to subjugate anyone. I see this as an honest question, which was answered by a previous poster.

BTW, if ever there is a law requiring workers in healthcare and education to attempt to ascertain a person's immigration status, or start proceedings if there is any level of doubt, I would flat refuse to do it even if I got canned as a result. We had a proposition on the ballot here in California that's purpose was to deny illegal immigrants access to healthcare and public education. Alot of people voted "YES" on 180. What nobody seems to understand is that it would have required us to report suspected undocumented status to the authorities. It would have required kindergarten teachers to start proceedings on little Jesus or Maria, but not Johnny or Kathy. (no name stereotyping here, just the way it is)

People need to really think through the impact of these "great ideas" on real people. You will not make me an informant.

Itzallgood · Aug 9, 2009

How exactly are you going to be able to tell if a person is an illegal immigrant?
Man, you're hella ignorant. There's so much wrong with that post. You're talking about illegal aliens as though they aren't even human. There's a word for racism, but is there a word for people like Itzallgood yet? Might as well be a form of racism.

You have the hospital screen them first. If they are found to be illegal then have them pay upfront for medical and medicine, that's how it happens in other parts of the world. You don't have no money, you don't get treatment.

There has to be a change in the way USA deals with Illegals in our system. Do a E-Verify system where they check their Social Security Number on line to make sure they are valid and legit.

Stop bending over backwards to serve Illegals in USA.

If a person comes to USA legally from most countries with a Visa, then they are sent to 2 day medical exam where they are checked for diseases.

Mike A. Fungin RN · Aug 9, 2009

Not to divert things, but while I agree it's not our job to "report" illegal immigrants, it's not our job to help them hide either... which I've seen done a lot of community health nurses do.

allnurses Guide · Aug 9, 2009

[

QUOTE=Itzallgood;3792992]You have the hospital screen them first. If they are found to be illegal then have them pay upfront for medical and medicine, that's how it happens in other parts of the world. You don't have no money, you don't get treatment.

Screen them how?? Have a special ICE unit in every ER? You have to have your bleeding child or your Grandma who is paralyzed on one side and aphasic have a seat in the ICE Enforcement Division while you wade through the bureaucracy and bring in document experts to examine the SS card for forgery? Now let's say you aren't able to make a conclusive decision as is common with bloated and unwieldy federal agencies? Oops, now Grandma is starting to slump over, but you've got to kick her to the curb unless she can come up with the $5,000.00 DEPOSIT for her care? Are you a nurse?

What diseases are you talking about? If there are 12 million illegal immigrants here, we would certainly see statistical evidence of that disease. So, again, tell me what diseases we are at risk for as a result of them not going the "tests for diseases" the other immigrants are.

I'm not condoning illegal immigration, however, you've got to think through the real life effects of such laws. Sure, some day we may have a reliable E-verify, but we don't now.

agathaprevost · Aug 9, 2009

The only people in the US that are NOT illegal aliens are Native Americans and descendants of slaves. Most Americans are descendants of illegal immigrants who stole the country from the Natives and shoved them on reserves.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Stop the hating!!!

KateRN1 · Aug 9, 2009

How exactly are you going to be able to tell if a person is an illegal immigrant?
Man, you're hella ignorant. There's so much wrong with that post. You're talking about illegal aliens as though they aren't even human. There's a word for racism, but is there a word for people like Itzallgood yet? Might as well be a form of racism.

There is a word. Xenophobia.