Basically, I really love my Spanish speaking patients in every way. I'm talking about people born and raised outside of the United States. They have Old World manners, respect for elders, I love their family values. They really are great, and Americans can learn a lot from their old fashioned ways. I love the way they roll up their sleeves and care for their hospitalized family member.
I had a gentleman in his 50s, totally Spanish speaking, had been a farm worker but with too many health problems to work, most of which resulting from IDDM non-compliance leading to heart problems and renal insufficiency. Most of his family was back in Mexico, including his 7 (grown) children. He spoke very little English.
His nephew came in, he spoke English, he was nice as can be. He wanted to know more about what was going on, he gave me more background info. His Uncle had a greencard, wasn't able to work, had wanted to go back to Mexico but was only staying for the free medical care.
Ha ha, 'free medical care', I thought. . I think most Americans would disagree with that statement. I guess it is free for non-citizens with no means, and for other dirt poor people, but it's not really free, is it? It's really, actually, expensive.
Meanwhile, his uncle, who was very polite, appreciative, nice, was also irresponsible. According to the H&P he had been mostly non-compliant with his meds and treatment plan.
I think there is a disconnect in our system. There is very little personal accountablity. There is lots of talk about Patient Rights, and very little talk about Responsibilty. I'm not just talking about non-citizens who consider the U.S. the land of free medical care, but I'm talking about a system that rewards irresponsiblity.
If we ever get socialized medicine, I seriously doubt if the government will have the backbone to build in any system for accountability into it. I see people abuse their bodies to the point that they are unable to work, then expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for their medical care, for life, while they sit back and complain what victims they are. I see this over and over again. It's a huge problem in America today, with no solution in sight.
The day I have to look someone in the eye and say "I'm sorry, but you won't be getting your left below the knee amputation because you were noncompliant with your diabetes treatment. Now go find a bridge to die a horrible, painful, lonely death under because you can't afford palliative care either. Oh, and don't you dare feel like a victim, because it's your own fault for letting your health get this bad and expecting the tax payers to pick up the tab." is the day I will quit nursing.
I understand NancyNurses08 points. I am going into nursing to help everyone, not just the ones I think deserve it.
I also take offense to a poster calling those who receive free health care as "medically indigent.":angryfire I am a medical indigent (or so you say), as I receive medical assistance, but I have worked more than 1/2 of my life, paid taxes, so I don't feel guilty. Every person deserves to have medical care, no matter what race, color, ethnicity, or whether they are drug addicts, alchoholics, mentally ill, homeless.........etc.
Where do we draw the line at who is deserving of healthcare, and as nurses, are we qualified to draw that line?
If you judge others, you have no time to love them....... Mother Theresa
Yes, I was thinking the same. Nurses work their tails off for their benefits, and pay hefty co-pays as well. Those who pay into the system pay more than their fair share, since they also pay tax dollars which pay for the medical indigents, plus their own insurance premiums.
And how many nurses continue to work fulltime merely to keep their health benefits, often at the expense of their own physical and mental well-being?
2bHappy,
I don't understand the objection to this post. It is using correct terminology regarding "indigent." And jlsRN is correct in stating the facts; taxpayers pay for their own healthcare and the taxes they pay provide for those on Medicaid. ???
There's nothing here saying we shouldn't have Medicaid or denigrating those on it. Just stating facts.
let's invite the world to live here for free, absolve one and all from any responsiblity for their health and welfare, and then all join hands and sing kum-by-yah. someone will be big daddy and pay the bill, right???
news flash..behaviors have consequences. failure to recognize this is not the responsiblity of the american taxpayer. i am sick to death of this nanny-state entitlement mentality, and all the morally superior folks who wouldn't dream of making any value judgements, ever.
and guess what--some of us who espouse personal responsibility and paying one's way do wierd things like contribute heavily to charities and work at free clinics because we believe in a hand up, not a hand out.
for the millionth time, i have a problem with those who won't, not those who can't!
and i reserve the title of victim for those who really are...
I don't understand the objection to this post. It is using correct terminology regarding "indigent." And jlsRN is correct in stating the facts; taxpayers pay for their own healthcare and the taxes they pay provide for those on Medicaid. ???
There's nothing here saying we shouldn't have Medicaid or denigrating those on it. Just stating facts.
Actual scenario: Somebody used the "c" word in a derogatory manner towards a woman, and I objected. They responded to it by saying that it was "correct terminology!" It depends on the manner in which it is spoken/used.
Actual scenario: Somebody used the "c" word in a derogatory manner towards a woman, and I objected. They responded to it by saying that it was "correct terminology!" It depends on the manner in which it is spoken/used.
"Indigent" is a legal term used for those on public benefits. The "c" word is not a legal term. I don't believe there is a relevant comparison here.
You may see a negative manner or context in this thread towards those on Medicaid. I do not. This thread isn't about indigent US citizens on public benefits. It's about indigent non-citizens receiving public benefits funded by the blood sweat and tears of working citizens.
US policies regarding public benefits and non-citizens are kinda strange to me. Here's an example of what I mean.
On the other hand, the Canadian government will provide zero benefits to my father as a non-citizen. They will not cover him on their Medicare system or give any kind of public retirement benefit. Nothing - from the Canadian government for a non-citizen. Yet the US government just doles out so much in benefits to a non-citizen who never lived in the US or contributed taxes in any way.
I think the Canadians have the smarter fiscal policy.
I have to comment on this statement. Has your father applied for and recieved landed immigrant status? He would never be denied medical care and more than likely would never be given a bill for his treatment.
If he has landed immigrant status, he would likely be eligible for pension benefits after ten years of living in the country. Back in the 1980s the policy was changed when the government of the time realized there massive numbers of elderly family members being sponsored into the country, as soon as they arrived the family applied for CPP, OAP, etc. It came down to the fact that the country could not afford to support an influx of elderly foreign national. Usually a sponsored immigrant is the financial ward of the sponsoring family members. If the sponsored immigrant winds up on welfare, they have broken the sponsorship contract and are eligible for deportation. It happens all the time but nobody ever gets deported.
A landed immigrant is usually eligible for healthcare after three months in the country.
In all honesty the most demanding, entitled patients I have worked with are refugee claimants. They expect this country to give it all to them.
So in your father's case, I would say he's not a refugee nor has he applied for permanent residence status.
I have to comment on this statement. Has your father applied for and recieved landed immigrant status? He would never be denied medical care and more than likely would never be given a bill for his treatment.
If he has landed immigrant status, he would likely be eligible for pension benefits after ten years of living in the country. Back in the 1980s the policy was changed when the government of the time realized there massive numbers of elderly family members being sponsored into the country, as soon as they arrived the family applied for CPP, OAP, etc. It came down to the fact that the country could not afford to support an influx of elderly foreign national. Usually a sponsored immigrant is the financial ward of the sponsoring family members. If the sponsored immigrant winds up on welfare, they have broken the sponsorship contract and are eligible for deportation. It happens all the time but nobody ever gets deported.
A landed immigrant is usually eligible for healthcare after three months in the country.
In all honesty the most demanding, entitled patients I have worked with are refugee claimants. They expect this country to give it all to them.
So in your father's case, I would say he's not a refugee nor has he applied for permanent residence status.
I don't know the details, Fiona. I do know that after they married, he had a terribly hard time even getting across the Canadian border because the guards thought his Canadian wife was trying to present him as I think...maybe...a landed immigrant. That term sounds so familiar. He does get bills for medical care in Canada, too. So he just pays the bills for minor care in Canada or drives really quickly to Montana for emergencies.
. I think most Americans would disagree with that statement. I guess it is free for non-citizens with no means, and for other dirt poor people, but it's not really free, is it? It's really, actually, expensive. 
Virgo_RN, BSN, RN
3,543 Posts
The day I have to look someone in the eye and say "I'm sorry, but you won't be getting your left below the knee amputation because you were noncompliant with your diabetes treatment. Now go find a bridge to die a horrible, painful, lonely death under because you can't afford palliative care either. Oh, and don't you dare feel like a victim, because it's your own fault for letting your health get this bad and expecting the tax payers to pick up the tab." is the day I will quit nursing.