With the current state of California’s financial crisis, some California counties are slashing health services for illegal immigrants. Sacramento County, Contra Costa County and potentially Yolo County (voting in May) have decided to eliminate healthcare services for illegals at their county clinics in an effort to reduce County deficits caused by the recession. Collectively they anticipate saving $9.5 million annually.
County Clinics and Emergency Rooms have been carrying the burden of healthcare expenses for illegal immigrants in the state for many years. William Walker, director of Contra Costa Health Services, said the national ambivalence on immigration policy means that illegal immigrants are living here but without federal or state funding to provide essential medical services to them.
While Counties can take action to eliminate healthcare services to illegals, Emergency Rooms and hospitals cannot. They are required by law to provide care to all regardless of immigration or insured status. There is a fear amongst State health officials that this action will result in more Emergency Room visits by illegal immigrants and further inflate healthcare costs to legal citizens of the State and the insured. Others are concerned that lack of treatment will result in communicable diseases going untreated and put everyone at risk.
In light of the recent swine flu outbreak, how do you feel about treating non-citizens for communicable diseases? Should we treat them or not?
#1 by Anonymous on July 20th, 2009
Hell No!