Immigration and Health Care

One (and only one) of the most significant knocks against “illegal” immigration is its impact on our healthcare system. They are such a burden, but does this assertion really hold water?

Illegal Immigrants: Some percentage, probably fairly small, of the estimated eight to ten million illegal aliens in the US use our hospital emergency rooms because they have no health insurance. Illegal immigrants are predominantly hard working males in excellent physical shape doing hourly physical labor, like landscaping, housekeeping and meat packing. They are not brought in for sedentary clerical positions. They make no money if they are ill and unable to work.

They were brave enough to leave their homelands in search of a better life. Most have obligations to feed families back in Mexico. While certainly some families have immigrated as well, the children, wives and parents of most illegal immigrants are not in the US. Being ill is not an option.

So of those in the US, how many really abuse the healthcare system? It simply cannot be a very high percentage of those here.

Uninsured Americans: On the other hand, we know that there are approximately 50 million Americans who have no health insurance. These individuals tend to be lower income citizens. Many have sedentary jobs while others are often out of work. All of their families are in the US, including all of their children and grandparents. Being ill or injured entitles them to paid days off, worker’s compensation, and disability. Like most Americans, they are fat, eat fast food, do not exercise and have resulting health complications. As unemployment rises, the number of American citizens without health insurance rises. There are absolutely exceptions to these generalizations, but ask social workers and they will provide you with this profile.

Are Illegal Immigrants Really the Burden? Which of these groups causes the greatest real burden to our health insurance system?
The impact of a few million illegal immigrants; or
The impact of fifty plus million uninsured Americans?

The problem is not immigrants. The problem is uninsured Americans.

A Solution: Certainly this situation begs for a solution. There are many ideas on how we can solve the “healthcare crisis.” Over the last few weeks I have laid out a gradual plan for healthcare reform. The stages are laid out in prior posts below.

Nationalize health insurance regulations and remove the burdens and restrictions of 50 different State level regulatory systems.
Allow ANY group of people to band together in groups to collectively purchase health insurance, or to create a self-insured plan. Illegals could join any or particular groups.
Create a national catastrophic coverage plan

The issue with illegal immigrants and uninsured Americans is basic care provided at emergency rooms rather than at less expensive clinics or doctor’s offices. Under this scenario, anyone, other than those who qualify for Medicaid currently, should be able to afford basic care, including illegal immigrants, at a physician’s office or clinic, thus eliminating the core problem. Under this scenario, anyone without coverage could be legally turned away without repercussions.