Do undocumented aliens end up getting after receiving emergency care?

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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?

Specializes in IMCU.

Holy Cow!

Seriously folks I really wasn't trying to start a debate. I figure, now, that only an ICE agent would probably know if their agency gets information from the dept. that deals with EMTLA reimbursement t o hospitals.

But goodness me, I can't believe I saw someone post that illegal immigrants carry diseases. I suppose if some people think our President was born in Kenya then I shouldn't be surprised.

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Specializes in IMCU.
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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.

I agree "screening"? All you have to do is go to an American airport to see how :American" react to being searched etc. before boarding a plane. Imagine those same unpleasant reactions when people are sick or injured. Then what? Turn away someone pumping blood from an artery?

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Specializes in ER, education, mgmt.

Dolce Vita- you did post a very good question. I too wondered if somewhere down the line if the illegals we were treating would somewhere collide with INS. there is so much information sent to the government that one would have to wonder if it gets "flagged" in any way. Just something to wonder about...

Oh, and by the way- Itzallgood got me all wrong about my personal stand on immigration. I am literally LOL about it. I just happen to recognize the difference in my role as a nurse and my role as a citizen and taxpayer. Peace.

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I hope that the ignorant nurse that made the comment about illegal immigrants bring disease never takes care of anyone I care about. My husband's mom and dad came to the US illegally initially. The sad but true fact is that when they came from Mexico, they didn't have the financial resources to pay for the "legal" immigration attorneys.

After living here for 2 years illegally, they had saved enough money to apply for permanent residency and buy a house (cash!).

As far as illegals taking jobs, my husband's dad worked for a rancher as a vequero (sp?). He worked a job many Americans would turn their noses up at. In the 1970's he went to work for an oilfield company digging holes for new wells. He worked for that company for 30 years before finally retiring.

He is now 78 years old and still in wonderful health. He can do 30 push ups without a blink. I pray that the ignorant nurse that posted the comment about illegals bringing disease and being on welfare reads this post and eats his/her heart out. He/she will never be nearly as healthy and productive as my husband's dad. :yeah:

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Specializes in LTC.
i hope that the ignorant nurse that made the comment about illegal immigrants bring disease never takes care of anyone i care about. my husband's mom and dad came to the us illegally initially. the sad but true fact is that when they came from mexico, they didn't have the financial resources to pay for the "legal" immigration attorneys.

>>>after living here for 2 years illegally, they had saved enough money to apply for permanent residency and buy a house (cash!).

it's easy to pay cash when you aren't paying taxes.

>>>as far as illegals taking jobs, my husband's dad worked for a rancher as a vequero (sp?). he worked a job many americans would turn their noses up at. in the 1970's he went to work for an oilfield company digging holes for new wells. he worked for that company for 30 years before finally retiring.

i'm tired of this arguement. how do you know americans wouldn't take this job? it isn't that they wouldn't but more like no one would hire them because then they'd have to pay them legally along with payroll taxes. to be fair, i blame the business owners and government policies that encourage these practices.

he is now 78 years old and still in wonderful health. he can do 30 push ups without a blink. i pray that the ignorant nurse that posted the comment about illegals bringing disease and being on welfare reads this post and eats his/her heart out. he/she will never be nearly as healthy and productive as my husband's dad. :yeah:

actually, they do bring diseases though it isn't the south americans but more the asians. my sister works in the ed in san francisco and she says a lot of the chinese illegals have tb.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
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.

It happens a lot in the UK that the NHS is abused by people who are not entitled and can not pay. They still get treated and attempts are made for payment but most do not pay. I bet it happens all over the world

I haven't heard of people arriving in the US with a legal visa being sent for a 2 day medical. I know if applying outside the US for a immigrant visa they have to have a medical and CXR (TB) and it doesn't last 2 days and they are not screened for all diseases but HIV and Syphilis and general good health

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Specializes in IMCU.
Dolce Vita- you did post a very good question. I too wondered if somewhere down the line if the illegals we were treating would somewhere collide with INS. there is so much information sent to the government that one would have to wonder if it gets "flagged" in any way. Just something to wonder about...

Oh, and by the way- Itzallgood got me all wrong about my personal stand on immigration. I am literally LOL about it. I just happen to recognize the difference in my role as a nurse and my role as a citizen and taxpayer. Peace.

It is amazing the rubbish I think about sometimes...LOL!

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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.

am i correct in understanding that us healthcare facilities do not get paid for providing services to illegal immigrants?

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
Since when is it a nurse's job to become a border patrol guard? If a sick person comes to my ER seeking medical assistance they will be seen as outlined by EMTALA. No matter what their circumstances or ability to pay. Medical personnel should not be expected to police their patients, it's a clear conflict of interest and ethically wrong. (And comparing child abuse to crossing a border without proper paperwork is like comparing apples to oranges.)[/quote']

i dont think it should be the job of the nurse to report them. the nurse is just supposed to give them treatment.

that said though...i think the hospital SHOULD report them. no conflict of interest there, IMO. they come in and want care and cant pay and the hospital finds out they are illegal...report them!

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Sorry, But you should report them.

It is a Federal Crime to enter the USA Illegaly.

I bet you would report child abuse in a heartbeat.

So- you report drug users to the police?

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Specializes in IMCU.
So- you report drug users to the police?

Good point.

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It is an excellent point - drug users aren't reported. The reason? The second you start reporting drug users, you will have sick people who won't get the treatment they want for fear of going to jail.

You are a NURSE. I am appalled at whoever it was that said "a lot of Chinese illegals had TB." SO WHAT???? If they have TB then treat them. Yes, an illegal immigrant should face the consequences of the law but mixing that in with healthcare is bogus!!! Treatment of murders, drug abusers, rapists, etc....these people are not exactly the "cream" of society yet they still deserve medical treatment!!!!

Medical treatment is something every human being as a person deserves.

If they can't pay for it, then no, they should not get non-emergency treatment. But in the ER??

Really?

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