Illegals affect Healthcare?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 30, 2005

Here in the midwest, we have few illegals so that is not our problem with the overcrowding of our ER's. However, the issue has become that the uninsured can't get healthcare - where legal or illegal. It has become a huge issue - we have no one at the moment who will take on new uninsured patients. It is becoming an epidemic. So, I feel that our healthcare system as a whole needs an overhaul.

I haven't have healthcare for years (honestly cannot afford it), and if I need to visit the doctor I usually go to the cheapest clinics where it is loaded with illegals with no insurance or they have state insurance because their child was born here.

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the pay area and people say they don't have a social security, they just tell them to sign here and let them go in. Meanwhile, I give them my ssn and I get a bill in the mail. If I don't pay or pay late, I will get put into collection and/or have payments garnished from my check. :crying2:

kathc · Aug 30, 2005

This is a difficult issue - especially for those in the health care industry who are caring individuals. BUT if we can't afford to take care of our own, how can we take care of others? Its pretty sad that those that work and pay taxes do not have the same access as those who come in illegally. I'm sorry buy illegal is the word for it. I'm sure if I enter a country without proper paperwork, that gov't will label me illegal too. It's not a slam, but a term used to describe what kind of alien they are. We do need to give credit to those that come in the proper way.

The solution? Part is to allow more people to come in on legal work permits since many of the jobs they take now are not desired by those her already. Those that come into work, will hopefully pay some taxes and help support programs here. They will also have some protection against those that abuse them and/or take advantage of them. I agree we also need to protect the border better and I also agree that we need to focus on those that hire those here illegally.

It is sad that we need to limit those that come in, but unfortunately reality is that we can only support so many people. I wish I had a better answer.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 30, 2005

This is a difficult issue - especially for those in the health care industry who are caring individuals. BUT if we can't afford to take care of our own, how can we take care of others? Its pretty sad that those that work and pay taxes do not have the same access as those who come in illegally. I'm sorry buy illegal is the word for it. I'm sure if I enter a country without proper paperwork, that gov't will label me illegal too. It's not a slam, but a term used to describe what kind of alien they are. We do need to give credit to those that come in the proper way.
The solution? Part is to allow more people to come in on legal work permits since many of the jobs they take now are not desired by those her already. Those that come into work, will hopefully pay some taxes and help support programs here. They will also have some protection against those that abuse them and/or take advantage of them. I agree we also need to protect the border better and I also agree that we need to focus on those that hire those here illegally.
It is sad that we need to limit those that come in, but unfortunately reality is that we can only support so many people. I wish I had a better answer.

I think it is a good answer and agree with you. :)

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 30, 2005

I agree, but I would also love to see both borders guarded as equally. For example, for every 1 mile radius there is 5 border patrol officers in the Mexican border but for every 5 mile radius there is only 1 officer in the Canadian border.
My concern is......Who's to say that terrorists will not enter from there.

Absolutely!

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 30, 2005

And I do agree w/the poster, referring to people as "illegals" is demeaning on our parts. I have been guilty of it myself------they are PEOPLE. I just would love to see us take care of ALL OF OUR OWN CITIZENS. A nation who takes care of her own, can then take care of others. We have to do the math.

truern · Aug 30, 2005

This is a very complicated subject. To refer to another human being as an "illegal" is really distasteful in my mind.

Ok, but what would you call someone that's entered this country illegally??

Seriously.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 30, 2005

People who have entered the country illegally would work. This at least, acknowledges their status as human beings, particularly when speaking to issues that are human, like healthcare.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2005

People who have entered the country illegally would work. This at least, acknowledges their status as human beings, particularly when speaking to issues that are human, like healthcare.

Well put!! People, no matter what their immigration status, are human beings. All humans have the same basic needs.. to be fed, to be able to breath, to receive needed helthcare, and that is just to name a few basic needs..

William_SRNA · Aug 30, 2005

They are illegal aliens plain and simple and are bankrupting us as a nation. They are actually having to close down ER's in some southern states because of illegals. Two states have declared the problems a crisis. They may do jobs that supposedly others won't, only because we have such a great welfare system that rewards laziness. You get rid of welfare for those who are perfectly capable of working and they will pick the fruit and whatever else needs to be done. This concept of illegals only come here for a better life is ridiculous. Many homicides, and police killings and other violent crimes are committed by illegals. We need to seal up the border whether by personnel or huge concrete and razor wire fences to keep the illegals out. Those who want to work here and are productive could be issued some sort of work visa.

military spouse · Aug 30, 2005

Where I live in Az, the illegal problem is huge. Several of the smaller hospitals have closed in recent years due to the free care they were providing. There was a movie recently produced that showed the devastation to the border communities in Cochise County, AZ entitled "A Cry From the Border." The local producer (from CA originally) is having it screened in several areas and hopes to have it submitted for an Academy Award. Unfortunately, the illegal problem in this area is NOT limited to only people looking for a better way of life. It causes deaths of both Mexican citizens (and people from other Central/South American countries) and American Citizens. It has left HUGE amounts of litter, broken fences meant to contain cattle and numerous drugs crossing the county and their effects. The people crossing tend to leave everything they crossed with including clothing, bottles, storage containers, ID cards in yards. Last year there were two newlyweds killed in a car-crash by drug and people- smuggling illegals. People that spent large amounts of money on retirement houses in the area have had their property essentially taken over by the illegals and in some respects have no recourse. The problem in that huge in this area. The number of weapons and drugs confiscated is overwhelming! I welcome all people to cross legally and not to destroy American lives and the properties of Americans. I never realized the extent of the problem until we moved here. I've lived in CA, TX, GA, AL, NC, KS and several foreign countries and never thought anything of the illegal problem, but when it's in one's backyard it seems to change many people's perspective. Just my opinion!

pricklypear · Aug 30, 2005

I'm from Arizona, and have seen the problem of Mexican illegal immigration. The county hospitals take the brunt of the problem. It's true that they (immigrants) can't afford routine medical care, so when they do show up in the hospital, they're pretty sick. I've always thought that the hospitals should bill the US government who, in turn, should forward the bill to the Mexican government for payment. If the Mexican government was forced to shell out the money, maybe it would decide to take better care of it's people. Right now, it's cheaper for the Mexican government to allow people to cross the border than to provide programs for the poor like we do. The poor in Mexico have absolutely zero resources - that's why they're willing to risk their lives coming here.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 30, 2005

Where I live in Az, the illegal problem is huge. Several of the smaller hospitals have closed in recent years due to the free care they were providing. There was a movie recently produced that showed the devastation to the border communities in Cochise County, AZ entitled "A Cry From the Border." The local producer (from CA originally) is having it screened in several areas and hopes to have it submitted for an Academy Award. Unfortunately, the illegal problem in this area is NOT limited to only people looking for a better way of life. It causes deaths of both Mexican citizens (and people from other Central/South American countries) and American Citizens. It has left HUGE amounts of litter, broken fences meant to contain cattle and numerous drugs crossing the county and their effects. The people crossing tend to leave everything they crossed with including clothing, bottles, storage containers, ID cards in yards. Last year there were two newlyweds killed in a car-crash by drug and people- smuggling illegals. People that spent large amounts of money on retirement houses in the area have had their property essentially taken over by the illegals and in some respects have no recourse. The problem in that huge in this area. The number of weapons and drugs confiscated is overwhelming! I welcome all people to cross legally and not to destroy American lives and the properties of Americans. I never realized the extent of the problem until we moved here. I've lived in CA, TX, GA, AL, NC, KS and several foreign countries and never thought anything of the illegal problem, but when it's in one's backyard it seems to change many people's perspective. Just my opinion!

I grew up in Az and gave lived there most of my life. I too have lived in so many states, but nothing quite like AZ. It is so sad too.