NY to pay for cancer treatment for illegal immigrants

[popdisaster00]

What are your thoughts on this? I came into the segment half way, so I think this has been passed. New York will pay the treatment costs for any illegal immigrant who needs to be treated for cancer. I just don't understand why that would happen when there are legal citizens who can't pay for their own bills...why are immigrants getting the help? This is my first thread in the politics forum so I don't know if I'm about to get mega smashed, but I was just curious as to what people thought about this.

[feigningapology]

Source? Sounds like a FUBAR/Snafu situation.

[popdisaster00]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/nyregion/26spitzer.html

[Love As Arson]

I support this. I tend to think health care is a human right. As to the legal citizens, yes, it is wrong that they cannot pay their bills, nor are many able to afford health care, however, rather than creating a false dichotomy, it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to medical care.

[popdisaster00]

rather than creating a false dichotomy, it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to medical care.

I agree with this.

[dai the flu]

give them health care, but send a bill to their country.

[Ambulance X]

Freaking unreal. Punt the leeches back to the dump from whence they came.

[lushintransit]

I'd assume it has something to do with the fact that most illegal immigrants end up doing the most illegal of work off the books without proper safety precautions--aka get put in high risk situations and the state feels the need to assist matters better.

[tambam]

I'm for it.

[Broken Parachute]

Eliot Spitzer is a busy man these days.

[rikfrommf]

Freaking unreal. Punt the leeches back to the dump from whence they came.
native american yourself eh?

[catscradle]

this is farking ridiculous.

From what i got from this, it seems that any immigrant with cancer can come to New York and claim medical emergency and receive chemo, that is just ridiculous. Why would non citizens get priority over legal citizens? it just seems far fetched to me that an illegal immigrant is entitled to more benefits than an actual legal citizen. Maybe if such benefits were available to legal citizens than it wouldn't bother me as much, but it still wouldn't make it right.

At this point in time, why don't we just get rid of citizenship in this country, since any non citizen is pretty much entitled to the same rights as us, and than some it seems. Oh but wait, the government still needs us citizens to pay taxes to cover the cost of these things. and please spare me the whole diatribe on how immigrants make up for their costs in sales taxes and whatnot, b/c until they start paying an income tax can they start to make a case to be entitled to the things they feel they are already subject to receive.

[popdisaster00]

Divine.

[Justin_stacy]

Hopefully stupidity like this won’t effect the citizens and the healthcare infrastructure like it has in the southwest.

Citizens should get first access to medical treatment and the money associated with it, its a shame this individual can’t get the care he needs in his own country, but its ridiculous to expect an American to suffer in his place.

[anamericangod]

A quick double tap to the back of the head should fix any problem that an illegal immigrant may have.

[Nametekken]

Just like only in America can Illegals sue a government because they were wrongly arrested. uuhmm they are illegal. I understand why they are here and i would do the same if was in there position but one of my best friends came legally from Panama and he cant stand this. It took his mom forever to get them here legally and he just recently became a citizen. He despises the fact that they did it the right way and people that just come get more stuff then he does.

[trindaddy]

not a fan of this. people such as one of my best friends, who died from cancer, had to have countless of fund raisers and try experimental drugs just to keep up with treatments. his parents are still paying medical costs, 5 years later, yet somebody from another country is going to come here and get it free, while we cant.

all health care should be free, but lets reward it to those who pay taxes and live here first, if we're going to split this up into ridiculous groups, instead of all at the same time. im all for them receiving the healthcare, as long as everybody gets it.

[popdisaster00]

^both very solid points

[lauren<3s music]

I support this. I tend to think health care is a human right. As to the legal citizens, yes, it is wrong that they cannot pay their bills, nor are many able to afford health care, however, rather than creating a false dichotomy, it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to medical care.

Very well put!

Freaking unreal. Punt the leeches back to the dump from whence they came.
Seriously go to hell. It's people like you who make immigration issues difficult to solve because of your narrowminded bigotry. Unless you are 100% Native American, you are likely the offspring of an immigrant. Realize that INS/ICE is ridiculously inefficent and many of these people have been waiting for citizenship for a very long time.

I think this article is interesting because it comes on the back of Spitzer's SCHIP battle (to which I do my own personal happy dance for his lawsuit). I think what he is trying to do is make the gov't take a hardline look at health care options in general and really better society as a whole. These immigrants are often doing the worst jobs for the least amount. Sure its okay for them to mow your lawn, but it's not okay to make sure they can live? Cancer treatment is expensive, but the emergency provision stands and I personally believe that aggressive treatment options should be classified. Same as with HIV/AIDS. Would we say no you can't have access to low cost/no cost drugs even though we know death is impending. The fact is we'd save ourselves a lot of money in this country if we embraced prevention and allowed people access. Immigrants are going to go the ED because that's the only place they can get treatment and at a significantly higher expense. We're going to pay for it because we will not let people die, we should recognize that we should do it in a cost effective manner.

:wallbash:

[EnderDove]

Can a legal NY resident receive the same benefits?

[lauren<3s music]

Can a legal NY resident receive the same benefits?

If they meet the Medicaid/income qualifications than yes.

[selftitled85]

I support this. I tend to think health care is a human right. As to the legal citizens, yes, it is wrong that they cannot pay their bills, nor are many able to afford health care, however, rather than creating a false dichotomy, it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to medical care.

i will support it once health care becomes universal for all americans. there is no way that we should pay for illegal immigrants to get free cancer treatment when numerous others pay up the ass yet still cannot afford. instead they should put that money towards the americans that cannot pay. once that problem is solved then they can pay for the illegals.

yes it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to health care but it also should be argued that americans should be the first to such things as this...and not people who are not citizens.

[selftitled85]

not a fan of this. people such as one of my best friends, who died from cancer, had to have countless of fund raisers and try experimental drugs just to keep up with treatments. his parents are still paying medical costs, 5 years later, yet somebody from another country is going to come here and get it free, while we cant.

all health care should be free, but lets reward it to those who pay taxes and live here first, if we're going to split this up into ridiculous groups, instead of all at the same time. im all for them receiving the healthcare, as long as everybody gets it.

what i tried to say....except you said it much more eloquently

[KellyGleason]

For something as life-threatening as cancer, everyone should be equal. I fully support the idea that illegal immigrants should be given free treatments, but, if that's going to happen, all cancer patients should receive it, too. I don't think there's any justification for them getting it for free, and legal citizens having to pay.

[Salomonbz90]

This is going to bring a surge of more illegals into the US. I am against anything that will bring more illegals into the country. This is complete bullshit.

[LostSymphonies]

fucking bullshit, theres so many people in this country who cant afford healthcare but they suffer while people who don't even belong in this country get it free? this country is going down the shitter every second

[lauren<3s music]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH. really could you understand that this is because of the emergency provision in medicaid??? what we should all be bitching about is the fact that ANYONE has to pay for cancer treatment.

[Salomonbz90]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH. really could you understand that this is because of the emergency provision in medicaid??? what we should all be bitching about is the fact that ANYONE has to pay for cancer treatment.
Agreed. But it's the hard truth that anyone with cancer is going to have to pay for it. It's lame though that you can hop across the border, fly your mexican flag, open up a shitty excuse for a restaurant and then get free cancer treatment. If the borders were CLOSED there would be no talk about "illegal this" or "illegal that." But since that won't happen, feel free to take our dead end jobs, but don't even THINK about taking any free hand outs of treatments. Never.

[lauren<3s music]

Agreed. But it's the hard truth that anyone with cancer is going to have to pay for it. It's lame though that you can hop across the border, fly your mexican flag, open up a shitty excuse for a restaurant and then get free cancer treatment. If the borders were CLOSED there would be no talk about "illegal this" or "illegal that." But since that won't happen, feel free to take our dead end jobs, but don't even THINK about taking any free hand outs of treatments. Never.

i think you and i will never agree on anything (other than that one point). Reallly I believe it is naive to believe 'closing the borders' will solve any of the problems surrounding immigration as a whole, or illegal immigration. What always really bothers me, is really most of these people try and do things the legal way but because of our broken system, they can't get processed in a timely manner. i realize they are breaking the law and believe me i'm not saying amnesty for all, but i think we as a country need to come to reasonable expectations about how to solve this problem. unfortunately with all of the stereotypes and hysteria that comes along in the immigration talks, we will probably not see a solution for another 10 years.

[Salomonbz90]

i think you and i will never agree on anything (other than that one point). Reallly I believe it is naive to believe 'closing the borders' will solve any of the problems surrounding immigration as a whole, or illegal immigration. What always really bothers me, is really most of these people try and do things the legal way but because of our broken system, they can't get processed in a timely manner. i realize they are breaking the law and believe me i'm not saying amnesty for all, but i think we as a country need to come to reasonable expectations about how to solve this problem. unfortunately with all of the stereotypes and hysteria that comes along in the immigration talks, we will probably not see a solution for another 10 years.
I'm sure you're right, but all you see on the news are the illegals who do break the laws (Illegal kills girl in DUI incident (http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7165401&nav=0qq6)) and in turn it gives all illegals a bad name. It's the same for Muslims, if you will. Since 9/11, you and I both know that Muslims have been cast as horrible people with one goal in mind, a world in which Islam is the ONLY way. This way of thinking is of course the thinking of the radicals of Islam. I know it's a sort of stretch, but it's true. I've seen plenty of shows and articles on law abiding illegals, and I'm sorry that the 1% of their illegal partners make them look bad, but that's how it is. I say close the border, but I should have added the word temporarily. Until things get under control, immigration needs to come as close to a halt as possible. It's gonna hurt us, yes, but it can't be any worse than it is right now.

[lauren<3s music]

I'm sure you're right, but all you see on the news are the illegals who do break the laws (Illegal kills girl in DUI incident (http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7165401&nav=0qq6)) and in turn it gives all illegals a bad name. It's the same for Muslims, if you will. Since 9/11, you and I both know that Muslims have been cast as horrible people with one goal in mind, a world in which Islam is the ONLY way. This way of thinking is of course the thinking of the radicals of Islam. I know it's a sort of stretch, but it's true. I've seen plenty of shows and articles on law abiding illegals, and I'm sorry that the 1% of their illegal partners make them look bad, but that's how it is. I say close the border, but I should have added the word temporarily. Until things get under control, immigration needs to come as close to a halt as possible. It's gonna hurt us, yes, but it can't be any worse than it is right now.

okay so we actually might agree [how refreshing]! if you commit a crime in this country you should be punished end of story. if you commit a crime and you're here illegally [i'm not counting like stealing food to eat or something like that] then you should be deported. hell i'm game for taking all the major criminals and putting them on a barge somewhere. i understand your point about trying to temporarily close the border to get a grip, but really it is impossible. i think we really need to have an open conversation about what is reasonably expected and could be achieved and aim for that. and honestly i think it could be a lot worse than it is right now. i deal with the bullshit of having immigrants (legal and otherwise) every day. northern va is kinda being swamped right now and i officially live in the racist capital now, because of some of the bullshit/unconstitutional provisions our county is trying to put into place. i understand the anger and the need for change, but i'd ask everyone to remember that these are people who just want to make a better life for themselves and their families. that is important to remember.

[Salomonbz90]

okay so we actually might agree [how refreshing]! if you commit a crime in this country you should be punished end of story. if you commit a crime and you're here illegally [i'm not counting like stealing food to eat or something like that] then you should be deported. hell i'm game for taking all the major criminals and putting them on a barge somewhere. i understand your point about trying to temporarily close the border to get a grip, but really it is impossible. i think we really need to have an open conversation about what is reasonably expected and could be achieved and aim for that. and honestly i think it could be a lot worse than it is right now. i deal with the bullshit of having immigrants (legal and otherwise) every day. northern va is kinda being swamped right now and i officially live in the racist capital now, because of some of the bullshit/unconstitutional provisions our county is trying to put into place. i understand the anger and the need for change, but i'd ask everyone to remember that these are people who just want to make a better life for themselves and their families. that is important to remember.
Yes, agreeing is good. As far as you living in the 'racist capital' and being full of illegals, I wouldn't know. I'm from west-central Pennsylvania and have not seen but 20 illegals (as far as I can be 100% sure) in the 100,000 people that live here. I think as the elections creep up, there will be a larger focus on this issue and hopefully some panel discussions on it. Tomorrow night is the Republican Debate, and I hope that this issue gets beat into the ground like it needs to be.
I understand these people are trying to make a better life for themselves. I believe the US could play a larger part in making this happen by helping Mexico with the process. As of now though, any ideas that are brought up seem so unreachable because of the magnitude of the issue.

[lauren<3s music]

Yes, agreeing is good. As far as you living in the 'racist capital' and being full of illegals, I wouldn't know. I'm from west-central Pennsylvania and have not seen but 20 illegals (as far as I can be 100% sure) in the 100,000 people that live here. I think as the elections creep up, there will be a larger focus on this issue and hopefully some panel discussions on it. Tomorrow night is the Republican Debate, and I hope that this issue gets beat into the ground like it needs to be.
I understand these people are trying to make a better life for themselves. I believe the US could play a larger part in making this happen by helping Mexico with the process. As of now though, any ideas that are brought up seem so unreachable because of the magnitude of the issue.

if you ever get the chance you should visit somewhere where it is a problem. puts a whole new spin on the debate. i think all domestic substantive issues aren't going to get any play this year. repubs are going to defend the war, dems are going to slam it. besides repubs are going to be too worried about making my side seem like the immoral idiots from hell here to rob you of your hard earned money to talk about it in the serious tone it needs. it will just be a talking point. same with the dems. makes me want to bang my head against something hard. and yes i agree with the last two sentences you said tremendously, but just so you know its not all just mexicans.

[Trainsaw]

While I am a believer that every human deserves health care, I don't believe that the state should fund a non tax paying citizen over a tax paying citizens health care. I'm assuming since the person is being called an illegal immigrant they are not paying taxes out of wages.

[Judge'sDaughter]

I don't think America should pay for anything for illegal immigrants, especially when actual citizens are just as needy.
We should, however, make it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens.

[Love As Arson]

i will support it once health care becomes universal for all americans.
False dichotomy.
there is no way that we should pay for illegal immigrants to get free cancer treatment when numerous others pay up the ass yet still cannot afford.
The president vetoed efforts which would have extended health care to millions.
instead they should put that money towards the americans that cannot pay. once that problem is solved then they can pay for the illegals.
Why not simply spend money on Americans and immigrants?

yes it should be argued that all people in the country should have access to health care but it also should be argued that americans should be the first to such things as this...and not people who are not citizens.
The designation of "American" is arbitrary, therefore I ascribe no worth to it whatsoever, which makes it irrelevant as basis upon which one might decide whether or not an individual deserves health care.

[Love As Arson]

While I am a believer that every human deserves health care, I don't believe that the state should fund a non tax paying citizen over a tax paying citizens health care. I'm assuming since the person is being called an illegal immigrant they are not paying taxes out of wages.
Illegal immigrants pay taxes through their wages, and much of that money goes to programs they do not have access to, such as social security. Moreover, their labor is a contribution unto itself; as workers, they are a part of a group which produces most of the wealth, and do not receive the full value of their labor.

[senatorlamb]

This and the drivers license for illegals, I am becoming disenchanted with Spitzer. Now look, we can't physically deport every illegal here, and yes, various sectors of the economy depend on the cheap labor, but illegals are not to be treated with the same rights as legal citizens. Call me a moderate or a populist, what have you, but this just isn't right.

[selftitled85]

Illegal immigrants pay taxes through their wages, and much of that money goes to programs they do not have access to, such as social security. Moreover, their labor is a contribution unto itself; as workers, they are a part of a group which produces most of the wealth, and do not receive the full value of their labor.

ok then give them access to healthcare plans and medicare. but dont give it to them for free.

there is a difference between helping out the illegal immigrants and then handing them everything on a plate. they may earn money and not get much in return but that does not mean they deserve to get free healthcare. there are lots of americans who pay a great deal and do not get much in return. what do you tell them..."sucks to be you?"

i am pissed bush vetoed the new medicare bill but that does not mean we should respond by making the poorer people in our country more or less an even lower class than illegal immigrants.

[Justin_stacy]

This and the drivers license for illegals, I am becoming disenchanted with Spitzer..

Lou Dobbs had a segment on his show tonight about this dopey governor and his self created drivers license fiasco. Two democratic senators were guests and they said the opposition being voiced by the general public is leading many democrats in the state congress to turn against Spitzer. So hopefully this DL issue can be solved before it becomes a bigger mess.

[Love As Arson]

ok then give them access to healthcare plans and medicare. but dont give it to them for free.
Give all citizens free health care. I think it is arguable that this could one of the many bases upon which Americans begin to work towards universal health care.


there is a difference between helping out the illegal immigrants and then handing them everything on a plate.
Since they do a lot of work, and are integral to our economy, I would argue they are not being given anything on a silver plate.

they may earn money and not get much in return but that does not mean they deserve to get free healthcare.
As I said, I do not believe anyone "deserves" health care, rather, I believe it is a human right.

there are lots of americans who pay a great deal and do not get much in return. what do you tell them..."sucks to be you?"
No, I would tell them that they, too, are being exploited by the way in which our society is constructed, and they would do well to struggle for something better with the immigrants, as opposed to siding with the ruling elite.

i am pissed bush vetoed the new medicare bill but that does not mean we should respond by making the poorer people in our country more or less an even lower class than illegal immigrants.
You may have missed my point. There are projects that are trying to give more people health care, however, the progress is uneven, which is disappointing, but that should not mean one should take take an all-or-nothing approach.

[selftitled85]

Give all citizens free health care. I think it is arguable that this could one of the many bases upon which Americans begin to work towards universal health care.


Since they do a lot of work, and are integral to our economy, I would argue they are not being given anything on a silver plate.


As I said, I do not believe anyone "deserves" health care, rather, I believe it is a human right.


No, I would tell them that they, too, are being exploited by the way in which our society is constructed, and they would do well to struggle for something better with the immigrants, as opposed to siding with the ruling elite.


You may have missed my point. There are projects that are trying to give more people health care, however, the progress is uneven, which is disappointing, but that should not mean one should take take an all-or-nothing approach.

dom i agree with you that everyone deserves healthcare. america is far behind and needs to soon set up a universal plan or else we are screwed. that said...just because i believe in universal healthcare for all does not mean that i believe in free healthcare for some while others do not.

i agree that most of the lower class people are being exploited. something needs to be done...and needs to be done soon. but the premise of my point is that either all should have it or none. it is not fair to give one group something great and let the rest look on with anger.

[Love As Arson]

dom i agree with you that everyone deserves healthcare. america is far behind and needs to soon set up a universal plan or else we are screwed. that said...just because i believe in universal healthcare for all does not mean that i believe in free healthcare for some while others do not.
The answer, however, is not to strip a working group of people of their health care. This would be the antithesis of the position to get universal health care.

i agree that most of the lower class people are being exploited. something needs to be done...and needs to be done soon. but the premise of my point is that either all should have it or none. it is not fair to give one group something great and let the rest look on with anger.
The problem with your premises is that they are necessarily regressive. That is to say, the politics behind the resistance to this is aligned with those that would keep health care privatized.

[selftitled85]

The answer, however, is not to strip a working group of people of their health care. This would be the antithesis of the position to get universal health care.

The problem with your premises is that they are necessarily regressive. That is to say, the politics behind the resistance to this is aligned with those that would keep health care privatized.

what are you saying? you should go for it because its enemies are to an extent the people who are for keeping health care privatized? that is part of the problem with the govt. if you disagree with a plan than dammit be against it. dont vote for it based on allegiances. i agree that the fans of keeping health care privatized will obviously be against it. but i would hope that others vote it down just because it goes against everything that universal health care is for.

[Love As Arson]

you should go for it because its enemies are to an extent the people who are for keeping health care privatized?.
I am saying that one cannot disentangle this from the ideological bases of the opposition, which, overwhelmingly, supports privatized health care. As such, when one takes their argument to its logical conclusion, the result is an environment in which no one wins.

that is part of the problem with the govt. if you disagree with a plan than dammit be against it. dont vote for it based on allegiances. i agree that the fans of keeping health care privatized will obviously be against it.
It is not about allegiances, but rather the ideological motivations and a sober assessment of that which this movement seeks to accomplishment.

but i would hope that others vote it down just because it goes against everything that universal health care is for.
It seems to be predicated upon xenophobia, and the desire to divide working people, then use the wedge to hinder progress to universal health care.

[selftitled85]

It seems to be predicated upon xenophobia, and the desire to divide working people, then use the wedge to hinder progress to universal health care.

i do not think the resentment towards the idea is xenophobia. by definition xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange. i do not believe that everyone against this idea (including me) is telling all of them to get out of our country. also i do not think this is being used to try to divide the working people. i dont know how it would divide the working people since none of them will be getting helped by this decision.

[Love As Arson]

i do not think the resentment towards the idea is xenophobia. by definition xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.
That is a component of this response. It is part of the overall discussion of immigrants in America, which, as I am sure you have noticed, does include a great deal of intolerance and irrationality.
i do not believe that everyone against this idea (including me) is telling all of them to get out of our country.
The movement relies upon is the anti-immigrant sentiment put forth by individuals like Lou Dobbs.
also i do not think this is being used to try to divide the working people. i dont know how it would divide the working people since none of them will be getting helped by this decision.
It divides immigrant workers and American workers, both of which could accomplish a great deal for the working class if they ceased viewing one another as "the other".

[selftitled85]

That is a component of this response. It is part of the overall discussion of immigrants in America, which, as I am sure you have noticed, does include a great deal of intolerance and irrationality.

The movement relies upon is the anti-immigrant sentiment put forth by individuals like Lou Dobbs.

It divides immigrant workers and American workers, both of which could accomplish a great deal for the working class if they ceased viewing one another as "the other".

how do you do the multi quote of each part of my section?? i wish i was that cool haha.

anyways i have definitely noticed that irrationality and intolerance plays a great part (even here on ap if you reread a bunch of the responses).

i did not think of it like you put it there. i could definitely see it forming a chasm between the two groups. and if they did work together im sure a lot more could be done but i do not believe that any working class american (im sure this is the point you made but anyways) who can barely support him/herself will support this plan in the near future. there is just no way they would agree.

[Love As Arson]

how do you do the multi quote of each part of my section?? i wish i was that cool haha.
Copy and paste.

i did not think of it like you put it there. i could definitely see it forming a chasm between the two groups.
The chasm already exists as a result of the way in which each group is set against one another. However, the fact remains that working Americans have more in common with these immigrants than they do those that are denigrating them.
and if they did work together im sure a lot more could be done but i do not believe that any working class american (im sure this is the point you made but anyways) who can barely support him/herself will support this plan in the near future. there is just no way they would agree.
Working class Americans should look at this plan, and say that they want this and more, rather than hurting another working group. Further, all of this may be solved if the immigrants were made legal; they could pay taxes, put more money into the economy, become part of a union, etc.

[selftitled85]

Further, all of this may be solved if the immigrants were made legal; they could pay taxes, put more money into the economy, become part of a union, etc.

it would...since then they too would no longer be served free healthcare

[sayyes]

The chasm already exists as a result of the way in which each group is set against one another. However, the fact remains that working Americans have more in common with these immigrants than they do those that are denigrating them.


Not that this reduces the chasm as "those" are most likely the profiters, but what about the working class having their wages driven down by the illegals who will work cheaper?

[saysmydoctor]

Freaking unreal. Punt the leeches back to the dump from whence they came.
....

Get the fuck out, yourself.

[TK]

I disagree with this, tax money should go towards citizens.

[saysmydoctor]

Yeah--if you aren't a citizen, you deserve to die. Only citizens' lives matter.

[Siren Silently]

Yeah--if you aren't a citizen, you deserve to die. Only citizens' lives matter.

I don't understand the bill entirely, but from my understanding it is absolute batshit that all illegal immigrants qualify for aid but many citizens do not. Although health care should be a human right, I think it makes sense to allow our own citizens to be entitled to the same treatment that illegal immigrants have.

[nwptrl]

i think you and i will never agree on anything (other than that one point). Reallly I believe it is naive to believe 'closing the borders' will solve any of the problems surrounding immigration as a whole, or illegal immigration. What always really bothers me, is really most of these people try and do things the legal way but because of our broken system, they can't get processed in a timely manner. i realize they are breaking the law and believe me i'm not saying amnesty for all, but i think we as a country need to come to reasonable expectations about how to solve this problem. unfortunately with all of the stereotypes and hysteria that comes along in the immigration talks, we will probably not see a solution for another 10 years.

Wow, that is not even remotely true.

[nwptrl]

I don't think that there is a single rational person here that would argue that illegal aliens deserve healthcare over U.S. citizens. I'm not a racist person. I grew up in a school/town/area that is about 95% hispanic. My wife is hispanic, my daughter is half. The majority of my friends are hispanic. That being said, illegal immigrants are a serious problem. The majority of illegals are coming here to work, no problem there. There is about a 10-15 percent that get apprehended by the Border Patrol that are just real scumbags. Once someone gets deported for a felony, they are no longer allowed to re-enter the U.S. About half of the people apprehended by the Border Patrol have been in the U.S. before, 20 percent of those have extensive criminal histories or are smugglers. In regards to the whole broken system for immigration, it is broken. Everyone makes it into the United States unless they have a really bad criminal history in the U.S. All the Border Patrol is allowed to do is send them back across the border so they can try again. I would say about 1% of illegal aliens have applied for a Visa. So although there is a wait, you can't blame that on the illegal alien problem. There are those that do pay taxes though, maybe 1/3 of illegal aliens. But in order to do so, they have stolen someone elses identity and social security number, which is a more of a negative aspect than a positive for illegal aliens. Everyone else is paid under the table, in cash, for the work they do. It should be easier for people to recieve resident alien cards or visas to come here and work, but it will never stop the flow of illegal immigration. I understand that this commentary is skewed from the direct topic; I was just trying to address some issues that were brought up.

[ghostyouare]

I'd assume it has something to do with the fact that most illegal immigrants end up doing the most illegal of work off the books without proper safety precautions--aka get put in high risk situations and the state feels the need to assist matters better.
Nah, thats not a problem, if one dies then they could easily find a replacement.

[Machu505]

I support. Love As Arson pretty much summed up my opinion.

[lushintransit]

Wow, talk about a bump.

[DaveEatWorld]

Against.

We need to start taking care of our own, legal citizens. Our own homeless who are sick and need care. I couldn't give any less of a damn about illegal aliens when we have our own legal citizens to worry about.

[CrenshawPunch]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH. really could you understand that this is because of the emergency provision in medicaid??? what we should all be bitching about is the fact that ANYONE has to pay for cancer treatment.


America is the leader in cancer research pricesly because we do have to pay for cancer treatment. This socialist argument would spell disaster for the progress our cancer researches have obtained, not to mention the healthcare system as a whole.

[se1046]

This would be a better ploy if it were to get them to all migrate to NYC, get into a hospital, then packed up and shipped back out to wherever they came from.

[CrenshawPunch]

I also HATE the cop-out of "We are a nation of immigrants". The destinction must be made between legal, and llegal immigration. The 1920's and today were very different in terms of how people entered this country, and what they did when they arrived.