The University Medical Center in Las Vegas is a tax supported hospital and is required by federal law to treat illegal immigrants. Illegals (or foreign nationals) come to the ER for kidney dialysis and the cost at UMC can run from $11,000 to $18,000 per visit for an emergency dialysis patient because of the testing required and because they are so sick when they come. The federal government has kicked the can down the road on the immigrant health issue as it has on many unfunded mandates, and the costs land on the local medical facilities. Read the full story. This is just one hospital spending $24 million a year; it's even worse in California, and nationwide it’s in the billions.
This story punctures the myth that the poor don’t have health care, or that the billions spent on illegals for their health care isn’t a huge problem which the federal government, regardless of who’s in the White House or Congress, has steadfastly refused to solve. Mexico really doesn’t want its citizens to come home. If the brilliant minds from anarchist to liberal to libertarian in Washington haven't been able to solve this small piece of the puzzle for just one disease for one specific group, what makes you think they can take over the whole enchilada without a huge, ongoing case of indigestion?
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
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4 comments:
Murray sez:
Halting free healthcare for illegals is just one of the things our government can do instead of complete healthcare reform. Add tort reform and drug price negotiating then step back and re-evaluate the situation. I think they would find out that our system isn't in such dire straits as they are claiming. Then they need to not only stop reducing Medicare payments to doctors but increase them to insure there are doctors available for the aged.
As always, the voice of reason and passion from Illinois.
But...who will fund the removal of the corpses of the illegals to whom they denied treatment?
Going to the ER to have your anchor baby isn't life threatening, so probably they could go home to Mexico. Colds and broken bones also don't usually kill. I suggest that Mexico pick up the tab. Your solution?
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