Illegal immigrants, as well as legal immigrants in the country less than five years, are not eligible for free healthcare through Medicaid. A 2007 study estimated that less than 1 percent of Medicaid spending went to healthcare for illegal immigrants. Proponents of subsidized healthcare for immigrants argue that increased access to basic preventive care will lower the demand for costly emergency care. Opponents argue that immigrants in the healthcare system run the risk of becoming "permanent patients," because they have no relatives, insurance or an established address where they can go once released.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No
@9F7R4MM8mos8MO
If you are illegal, you shouldn't get rights in the U.S. , If you are legal you be able to get things that other Americans do. Not for free.
@9F8FN828mos8MO
The US is already struggling financially. Holding the Federal Government financially responsible for non-American citizens would only further this struggle and make life harder for tax paying Americans.
@9FP227H 8mos8MO
I believe many immigrants struggle without the help of their health. Therefore, creating an Immigration Healthcare program won't just make them more comfortable to seek health but also create a federal tax on immigrants just like any other human.
@9FP3XM98mos8MO
The United States is not responsible to care for those who came here illegally as they are not part of the citizenry that the government was made to serve.
@9JJQZNS 4mos4MO
Illegal=a crime. It is a crime to come over the border ILLEGALLY. There is a process to come over legally, and although it may be a long process that's just how it is. They aren't entitled to coming to our country. They have no rights as an illegal immigrant and they shouldn't even be here let alone deserve health care. ILLEGAL immigrants should be deported.
@9FP4K7R8mos8MO
I definitely agree that Healthcare needs to be more accessible to immigrants but to be more specific I believe that there should be a single payer Healthcare system funded by the government, and that anyone who pays taxes (or anyone in an emergency situation) should be covered by it which would include immigrants.
@9FRKDWF8mos8MO
They are humans, they're people. Healthcare is a human right that should be given to everyone in any country in the world.
@9JJQZNS4mos4MO
Not when you're illegally in the country. There is a process that you have to go through to become a legal immigrant, and just because it may be long or hard doesn't really change the fact of illegal immigration being wrong. They aren't entitled to come here and if they do they need to be here legally.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes
@9F7WFTG 8mos8MO
Top Disagreement
To help an illegal immigrant by using government-subsidized healthcare would be robbing our own citizens of their resources. Immigrants should be able to get help, but first they need to become one with our community and nation. It would not be fair to allow outsiders a chance to steal from us. If the condition is not critical then they can go elsewhere. We are not a charity, we are a country full of it's own people and it's own issues. To help others requires one to be in a near perfect condition otherwise the help trying to be given is sloppy and hurtful.
@9F9N86C8mos8MO
The United States always claims that it is the best country in the world, but what kind of good country doesn't help someone that is in need? I understand that helping illegal immigrants may take away resources from Americans, but if we didn't have such a bad healthcare system, we wouldn't have this issue and healthcare would be available to all Americans, as well as outside immigrants, legal or not, that need help.
@9JJQZNS 4mos4MO
Why is it immigrants are entitled to be here? I get that we may have a really great free country but that does not give everyone the right to be here especially illegally. We have laws and standards that need to be upheld. We can't just let anybody here any time under any circumstances. There is a legal process you must go through and although it maybe long and hard they aren't entitled to be here.
@9F9BBCP8mos8MO
Its unfair, many americans maybe go on vacation and its just like, you wouldnt want thisin a nother place.
@9FB7WQS8mos8MO
The illegal immigrants are citizens like the citizens next to them. There is no need of treating them differently
@9F9KH7S8mos8MO
The way I think about it is the immigrants are coming here to become part of us we shouldn’t mind helping them out they should be treated like they are apart of us
@9F8FN828mos8MO
Illegal immigrants don't pay into the benefits that they would be afforded, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to accept those benefits.
@9F7Y4268mos8MO
For one, they are not paying the taxes or the money citizens in the country have paid just to have halfway decent health care. Why should someone who isn't even in the country LEGALLY get free health care?
@9F7JD48Republican8mos8MO
They need to become a citizen, just like everyone else. There does need to be a change in how immigrants obtain citizenship, such as speeding up the process or relaxing some requirements. But, healthcare is precious, and if they don't pay taxes, they shouldn't get free healthcare. It isn't fair to the people who have to pay for healthcare and pay taxes. Immigrants shouldn't be living in America for free without repercussions.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, and we should deport all illegal immigrants
@9G3RFPP7mos7MO
Top Disagreement
Illegal immigrants form the basis of our economy through their hard work. Many compromise their physical health working to provide food for our tables and a home for our families. It is immoral for our nation to compromise their natural rights to life and health due to institutional racism and prejudice. Keep in mind: every single one of us has an immigrant background!
@9G58JQ57mos7MO
I agree with this comment about immigrant healthcare because everyone should acknowledge that immigrants are hard workers that know what should be done to get to their next step in life. They work hard to show their purpose.
@9G4L2JM7mos7MO
I agree, illegal immigrants most of the time are here to work and shape a better future for their kids!
@9G4525L7mos7MO
Yes I agree, most immigrants work harder than those who are U.S. Citizens, and pay their taxes, help contribute to the U.S. economy and yet not helping them with health care or give them their natural rights seems very inmoral
@9G44DRGLibertarian 7mos7MO
It is true that illegal immigrants form the basis of our economy through their hard work, and so therefore it should be the works of the constitution to grant them the rights they deserve, just like any other American. American soil is founded upon the work of immigrants.
@9G8KFBNLibertarian 7mos7MO
illegal immigrants should be treated evenly and given the same opportunities as a citizen, it allows them to be less likely to commit serious crimes and instead help the country as a whole.
@9G935GC7mos7MO
I agree with that because not only will it prevent them to commit any crimes and it can also convince them to become citizens of America.
@9G92VM4Progressive 7mos7MO
Immigration healthcare is a very important aspect. As a child of Immigrants, I think that every human being deserves the right to be treated equally and given all of the same opportunities whether they were born there or not. As the Author states, this makes people much less likely to commit crimes and even builds up the community as one whole family. Healthcare is a necessary resource so all people should have access to some form of it.
@9GB5BR6Peace and Freedom7mos7MO
I agree, because they are already here either way they are not going to leave, so it is best they do things legally and help as a whole instead of causing destruction only because they were not born here. They want to achieve the American dream for their children and family for them to be successful.
@9G923WSWomen’s Equality7mos7MO
My thoughts are yes treat illegal immigrants evenly and fair but not for the reason that they will do harm when not given these opportunities.
@9GHYNRWPeace and Freedom7mos7MO
we should give illigal immigrants a chance, drug test them, and make sure they arent here to sell illigal things, but if they arent give them a chance, not all countries are as good as america, they were coming here for a better life and we should give them a chance to become an american citizen.
@9F85M6R8mos8MO
Illegal immigrants are criminals. They are more than welcome to come into the country legally; however, those who do not are criminals, and should be treated as such.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, and grant them citizenship
@9F4KR77Independent8mos8MO
A nation has a moral obligation to first and foremost take care of her people. Until we're providing a decent standard of living for all Americans, we shouldn't waste a single dollar on others.
@9GX287XPeace and Freedom6mos6MO
Some of the reasons as to why are; Protection from deportation. Becoming a U.S. citizen protects you and your children from deportation., Citizenship for your children, Family reunification, Eligibility for government jobs, Freedom to travel, and Ability to vote.
@9GKSLKN7mos7MO
They are not They are not citizens collect them and send them home. The constitution only applies to CITIZENS.
@9GKJ92Y7mos7MO
If they can apply for citizenship and earn it then I see no problem. However if they dont qualify they should be deported.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, if they pay taxes
Taxes are an important thing here in the U.S and if immigrants aren't allowed healthcare while paying taxes then that's not fair.
@9FLQ8KV8mos8MO
Illegal immigrants are illegal. They are not citizens and therefore cannot be taxed, if they wish for healthcare then they need to go the legal way. Then they will be a citizen, pay taxes, and not be deported.
@9GGYPVQ7mos7MO
Taxes are an important thing here in the U.S and if immigrants aren't allowed healthcare while paying taxes then that's not fair.
@9G5CSZG7mos7MO
Currently drug cartels in Mexico are worse then ever, committing heinous crimes and selling illegal contraband
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, but only for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases
@9HPND9Z5mos5MO
YEs because having an infection can be serious and you don't want anybody to die because you refuse to help them because they come from a different country.
@9FJF593Republican8mos8MO
Since there are millions of illegal immigrants coming into the United States I believe that if they are the edge of life or death they should get the help they need. After they get the help they should become a citizen and get actual Health insurance/care.
@9FZCD887mos7MO
It have no counter argument for that but, I would be wary of it due to the risk of fraud, abuse or waste.
@9FV7KR7Republican8mos8MO
Yes, we are all people, and if there is a disease wiping out hundreds of thousands of people, it will most likely hit the U.S. anyway, so we need to try to help anyway we can but controlled.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, and the government should never subsidize healthcare
@9GQ5LY7Independent7mos7MO
I feel it's inhumane to deny people medical care simply because they were not born in the United States.
@9GHPHKB7mos7MO
Healthcare should be **** ing free, there are so many people in debt due to this, raise the taxes make healthcare free.
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