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.
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@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
No
@9F8FN821yr1Y
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.
@9F7R4MM1yr1Y
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.
@9FP227H 1yr1Y
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.
@9FP3XM91yr1Y
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.
@9FP4K7R1yr1Y
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.
@9JJQZNS 11mos11MO
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.
@9FRKDWF1yr1Y
They are humans, they're people. Healthcare is a human right that should be given to everyone in any country in the world.
@9JJQZNS11mos11MO
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.
@Paculino3mos3MO
#1 Informed Immigration Healthcare
What is unethical about freedom of movement to justify such laws? Movement to other polities is important to democracy; it allows voting with your feet. People are people, regardless of the legality or even the morality of past or present actions. The legality of presence does not mean someone suddenly becomes a p-zombie.
@9S8MS8CRepublican4mos4MO
healthcare is not a right and it shouldnt be
@Paculino3mos3MO
#1 Informed Immigration Healthcare
Why not? It is easily derived from the golden rule, and if that is not the basis of ethics, then what possibly could be? Why is kindness revolutionary?
@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
Yes
@9F7WFTG 1yr1Y
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.
@9F9N86C1yr1Y
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 11mos11MO
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.
@9S8MS8CRepublican4mos4MO
we actually have a pretty good health care why because we have better equipment and takes less time for example Canadians a lot of Canadians come to American hospitals for help because we have better equipment and its faster and no they should not be given stuff they broke the law hell if it was any other country they would be shot on site you can't break the law and expect to be given something that f up for the people that came here legally and a lot of times illegal immigrants make legal ones look bad for example my dad cam here for Venezuela lawfully and a lot of illegal Venezuelan… Read more
@9F9N5CJ1yr1Y
I believe that everyone deserves help whether your a citizen or not. It doesn't matter where you come from everyone deserves help. And the fact saying that they steal is not really something that should be mention because to me they are not stealing to me is the fact they want a better life than the one they had before.
@9F9BNX41yr1Y
This is a country built on the backs of hardworking immigrants. They contribute just as much as anyone, and should be entitled to just as much as anyone. If our government mismanages money, I think the ceos of large companies should be held responsible, considering that they have the largest amount of influence. Why should people who aren’t considered citizens bear the weight of our country’s failures?
@9F9CFCH1yr1Y
I believe that everyone should be able to have free access to health care. It is in the best interest of our community to control the spread of infectious and communicable diseases.
@9F8FN821yr1Y
Illegal immigrants don't pay into the benefits that they would be afforded, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to accept those benefits.
@9F7Y4261yr1Y
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?
@9F7JD48Republican1yr1Y
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.
@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
No, and we should deport all illegal immigrants
@9G8KFBNLibertarian 1yr1Y
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.
@9G92VM4Progressive 1yr1Y
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.
@9G935GC1yr1Y
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.
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.
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.
@9G3RFPP1yr1Y
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!
@9G44DRGLibertarian 1yr1Y
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.
@9G4525L1yr1Y
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
@9G3V3F61yr1Y
I agree with the statement that was made. I feel like immigrants do sacrifice a lot, so they should be treated just as equally.
@9G58JQ51yr1Y
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.
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.
@9F85M6R1yr1Y
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, if they pay taxes
@9FLQ8KV1yr1Y
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.
@Paculino3mos3MO
#1 Informed Immigration Healthcare
Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers allow anyone ineligible for a social security number to pay taxes. This is not uncommon, as a history of paying taxes tends to help the process of having a legal status.
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.
@9G5CSZG1yr1Y
Currently drug cartels in Mexico are worse then ever, committing heinous crimes and selling illegal contraband
@9GGYPVQ1yr1Y
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.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, and grant them citizenship
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.
@9F4KR77Independent1yr1Y
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.
@Paculino3mos3MO
#1 Informed Immigration Healthcare
What makes people who tend to be in better living conditions more needing of assistance?
@9FFZK94Republican1yr1Y
Anyone who is in the United States illegally should not be taking taxpayer dollars to pay for their healthcare. If they want healthcare, they must become a citizen legally just like everybody else.
@9H373DC1yr1Y
They should be granted citizenship because, they are humans too... searching for a better life to live. Like any other regular human being, they should be able to receive citizenship
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, but only for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases
@9TYV3ZHRepublican3mos3MO
They can’t just have the health care that US citizens get because they’re a citizen. But if it is a threat to the citizens life or immigrants life then it should be looked at.
@9FR5WF51yr1Y
If it's life threatening, shouldn't they have a chance to live. We want America to be the best it can for everyone. It shouldn't matter if they have a green card or not. If someone is about to die then all efforts should be put forward to make living in America a possibility.
@9FV7KR7Republican1yr1Y
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.
@9FJF593Republican1yr1Y
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.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, but they should be allowed to purchase private healthcare
@9FP227H 1yr1Y
I believe many immigrants are scared to seek health care for themselves due to the high cost. However, creating a private immigration healthcare program will make immigrants more comfortable and continue to establish a system to help them.
I agree with this comment and would encourage the government to take this stance because its against their human rights to not be able to seek medical health.
@9FP99WXIndependent1yr1Y
The immigrants should have the right to healthcare, they are trying to have a better life than the ones they didn't have back at home. That's their right when coming into the stare.
@9FP4GRC1yr1Y
I agree with this comment because immigrants came to America for better health care. The fear of asking for help in a country where they want to keep immigrants out is terrifying. A program that is private is a great idea.
@9FP6FZN1yr1Y
I believe many immigrants are scared to seek health care for themselves due to the high cost. However, creating a private immigration healthcare program will make immigrants more comfortable and continue to establish a system to help them.
If the immigrant has a deadly disease and isn't cured then the immigrant could die. We don't want them to die even though they aren't a citizen. We should cure the immigrant only if the immigrant has a deadly disease.
@9GSF5BQ1yr1Y
There is no reason for them to get certain healthcare they deserve the same treatment regardless of their race.
@9H26N5Z1yr1Y
they should be allowed to have any type of health care they can afford whether it be public or private.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, and the government should never subsidize healthcare
@9GQ5LY7Independent1yr1Y
I feel it's inhumane to deny people medical care simply because they were not born in the United States.
@9GHPHKB1yr1Y
Healthcare should be **** ing free, there are so many people in debt due to this, raise the taxes make healthcare free.
@9GNGF2J1yr1Y
I feel like everyone should have the right to healthcare and have the ability to have every vaccine or medication that everyone gets
@9GNLWN61yr1Y
Many immigrants come to the U.S. based on the idea of the American Dream. It's sad to see that they cannot even be achieved solely because they are immigrants. Immigrants are people too and not every single one is a threat to society. They deserve basic human rights and one of those is affordable healthcare.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, but they should be deported after treatment
@9GZNQ24Republican1yr1Y
American tax paýers fund healthcare so it should be exclusive to American citizens. There is however a moral duty to help a person with a healthcare emergencý, American or not. After treatment, the illegal aliens can be deported.
@9LZ6TR68mos8MO
These are still humans hurt no matter if they are from Canada or Mexico they are in need of help and we can help them.
@9FPBG4ZRepublican1yr1Y
If they were following US laws they should be able to remain in US territory and be required to obtain citizenship
@9GN6ZGF1yr1Y
As long as they are in the country legally and have no criminal record in their home country, they should be given healthcare just like every other law-abiding citizen in America.
@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
No, but their children should have access
@9JDNJ2X11mos11MO
I believe everyone should have access to Healthcare immigrant or not child or adult, that is supported by the government to better the Healthcare system.
@9HQMJXH12mos12MO
Immigrants pay taxes into our Medicare/medicaid funding - they should be included in the safety net those provide
@4S4CH924yrs4Y
This is insane. How can you use illegal and benefits in same sentence? Someone should not become a citizen just because they gave birth here. Mexico for sure does not allow this, and the rest of the world with exception for two other countries. This way of taxing others to pay for such expenses is insane.
@97WLQHG2yrs2Y
And yet you have people saying YES. Liberals should be able to collect disability for their mental illness.
@928PJ8QLibertarian3yrs3Y
Unfortunately that opinion isn't insane in C*lifornia
@8L3QY7Z4yrs4Y
If they weren't born in america, no if their children were born in america, yes
@8MRSWZJ4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as the illegal immigrants in question are good, honest people with no criminal record who plan on becoming citizens. Anyone should be granted access for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases, but then they need to be provided assistance to become a legal citizen.
@4Q2ZXW94yrs4Y
Absolutely not. Illegal Aliens are not immigrants!! They have illegally invaded my country.
@8T46C5VProgressive4yrs4Y
They are still people though, and they deserve care if they are sick.
@4WXYGMH4yrs4Y
YES, WE ARE THE RICHEST COUNTRY ON EARTH... our insurance companies and hospitals are making BILLIONS!!!
@8PXMNXF4yrs4Y
@8PRSDMFRepublican4yrs4Y
just because we are rich doesn't mean we should waste 100+ billion dollars a year on illegals. This is like going to jeff Bezos house and breaking in, then asking for a free Lambo
@8RBRJTR4yrs4Y
"richest country on earth"
https://www.usdebtclock.org/index.html#
@8RBRJTR4yrs4Y
the big red number in the right is our astronomical debt. its at 27 trillion dollars right now. the us gains approximately 125 billion dollars of debt each day. to put 27 trillion in perspective, its 27 000 000 000 000
@4Q6ZSJK4yrs4Y
They should get NOTHING but a ticket back home...
We have VETERANS dying because THEY can't GET any healthcare, they're HOMELESS, and JOBLESS, but OBAMA is giving the ILLEGALS FREE DENTAL, HEALTH, MEDICAL, FREE FOOD, FREE MONEY, FREE OR SUBSIDISED HOUSING, HEATING ASSISTANCE, and whatever the hell ELSE he can think of, while OUR CITIZENS GET NOTHING...
Social Security & disability recipients got NO INCREASE this year, most likely because OBAMA GAVE OUR MONEY TO ALL THE ILLEGALS...
THAT'S JUST WRONG!!!
@8T46C5VProgressive4yrs4Y
So you agree increasing government subsidized healthcare would be a good move? For the veterans. That we should increase funding for social security, and for Medicare?
@4PXJH634yrs4Y
Illegal aliens or if you must "immigrants", have broken our laws of entry, and should be eligible for nothing. that said, if there is an emergency situation /or they have an infectious disease, when they arrive yes by all means let them get treated at govt expense. If they have been here over three months, they should seek private insurance like the rest of us. They have had time. If they seek govt assistance for any reason, they should be detained and turned over to ICE and deported as soon as possible. If there is an "anchor baby", new born, it goes back to the coun… Read more
@8PRYFTJIndependent4yrs4Y
You are considered a U.S. citizen if you are born inside the country.
@8PRSDMFRepublican4yrs4Y
yea ik but what he is saying is that it is stupid
@4SNPXK84yrs4Y
No and deport all immigrants to Guantanamo Bay to undergo torture to find out everything they know.
@4Q8DJCB4yrs4Y
Illegal immigrants should receive required medical treatment to prevent and/or cure communicable diseases with which they are afflicted. The threat of deportation should not be in play, with the idea that sick people will be willing to get treatment if they feel "safe." Illegal immigrants should not be issued driver's licenses, nor should they be permitted to vote. Employers who willingly and knowingly hire illegal immigrants should be heavily fined. Employers who do not file tax info on any and all employees should also be heavily fined. This is cheating in my mind and should not be tolerated. No jobs, no possibility of "under the table" employment will quickly resolve the immigration problem. Americans seem to always want to get stuff "for cheap." This mentality is the problem.
@8PXMNXF4yrs4Y
@4W8HJKD4yrs4Y
End all borders...
@8PRSDMFRepublican4yrs4Y
ok. Go to North Korea I don't care let's see how you turn out
@4SJ6YPK4yrs4Y
Yes. Don't ask don't tell.
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