Illegal alien sob story of the day
For years, the open-borders crowd has argued that a) illegal aliens are not getting free health care and b) even if they are, they are not draining government budgets.
Myth, meet reality:
Graciela Barrios, an undocumented immigrant with few resources, has long relied on the county health clinic for the advice, medication and tests that have kept her diabetes under control. But next month, Barrios and thousands like her will be on their own, and many more people across the nation face the same fate.
Bowing to recession-related budget pressures, Sacramento County recently took the drastic step of cutting non-emergency health services for illegal immigrants. Contra Costa County, on the east side of San Francisco Bay, will vote on a similar measure Tuesday. Local health systems in other states are facing similar decisions as health officials find themselves trapped between dwindling federal, state and local funding streams and the growing number of newly uninsured who need services.
“The general situation there is being faced by nearly every health department across the country, and if not right now, shortly,” said Robert M. Pestronk, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, based in Washington.
Data on the cost of health care for unauthorized immigrants is hard to come by, because community clinics and hospitals usually do not ask patients for their immigration status. But the Pew Hispanic Center estimates that about 59 percent of the 11.9 million illegal immigrants living in the United States have no health insurance, making up about 15 percent of the nation’s approximately 47 million uninsured…
In Sacramento County, such cuts initially meant closing three of six clinics. In February, with even less money and more patients lining up, county supervisors and health officials had to decide: close one more clinic, firing up to 40 staffers to save $2.4 million, or cut services to the approximately 4,000 illegal immigrants treated annually.
…Contra Costa County officials are doing the same hard math: if they vote to cut services to the 5,500 illegal immigrants they serve a year, they will save about $6 million.
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About time too…
She says she has no idea what she will do…. I have a small suggestion, go back to your country and ask them for assistance. You remember that country, don’t you, the one you’re actually a citizen of?
The hidden costs are suddenly not so hidden. I hope my county (Contra Costa) does the right thing for citizens.
We should also take an honest look at the costs of illiegal imigration in schools and prisons.
Here’s another
22 bucks an hour equates to about 45k per year. She couldn’t find citizens that wanted to earn 45k per year with benefits.
The kicker is that the same day, the paper published this story saying that citizens are now lining up for these “dirty” jobs, yet the employers are still hiring the illegals.
Gosh, I find this hard to believe CA is doing this. I hope this spills over here in TX. While they are at it, do something about all the un-insured drivers and causing our car insurance here in TX to be as high as they are. Sorry, I do not feel sorry one bit about the illegals. Just GO HOME!!!
L
True story.
I’m in an ER not too long ago waiting to talk to a nurse. A Hispanic man is in front of me. He’s not saying much in English, but he seems to understand everything the nurse is saying to him. An exchange they had went something like this.
“Mr. XYZ… I remember you came here yesterday and this was not the name you use. Yesterday your were Mr. ABC (as she looks at her computer screen).”
If one is to suspend disbelief in a Clintonian way, there may have been a variety of explanations. However, to any reasonable person it was clear that this individual was using at least one fake identity to obtain some very pricey health care.
Wondering if he got that expensive ER-performed health care?
Oh you bet he did.
Wondering further if he got a bill? Oh.. I seriously doubt it.
The area I live in is flooded with illegals… as is the ER.
Now, with all the bailout money to states and the stimulus packages that include the right for businesses to hire without E-verify, we all are paying for these criminal illegal aliens, not just the west and east coast lib states. My fellow Idahoans are mostly outraged that they have to pay taxes to help bailout California. Our government is no longer treating us like a republic.
I always figured it would take an econmic hardship for liberals to open their eyes and see how much $ these illegals truly cost American taxpayers. Hoenestly, I am a little surprised. I figured libs would rather their own children forego medical care in lieu of denying illegal aliens the same care. But I guess that is only when times are good. Maybe there is hope for saving this country.
Buh bye Graciela. DLTDHYOTWO!!! The expense of diabetes is staggering. And it is unconscionable to ask the American taxpayer to cover that cost for someone who decided our laws are not worth following.
NJ-Aviator – Right!
I think a lot of Americans casually forget that illegal immigration is not a victimless crime. Of course, there are usual the up-front costs associated with warm bodies on our turf: health care, education, etc.
But, there are also huge costs imposed upon local and state law enforcement, the SSA, etc. from official document abuse/fraud/identity theft (not to mention that financial and bureaucratic damage done to individual Americans too).
There is nothing so expensive as “cheap labor”.
Boo Freakin’ Hoo!
My sister’s (illegal) housekeeper has been to the hospital twice in the last year, first for a migraine, second for appendicitis (which required five days of hospitalization because of a post-surgical infection). She’s also had three kids while in the US. What do you want to guess this has all cost them? Nothing, because all five tabs have been picked up by the state. Neither she or her husband have ever paid a dime in income taxes and their three kids who are now all in school are all on free breakfasts and lunches.
The reasoning that illegals help our economy by buying goods and services doesn’t hold water. How many cars would this family need to buy before they had helped the economy more than they have hurt it???
Due to Our Undocumented Guest Workers we had to close the whole damn hospital. Break my hard little stony heart.
JULIANA BARBASSA can go to hell.
—
Keep the change-I’ll keep my guns
I should add that I have tried on numerous occasions to explain to my sister why hiring illegals is not helpful and she, being the libtard that she is, ends up avoiding the facts and instead accusing me of being a “heartless facist.”
Apologize for the spelling and grammar – trying to do my job and comment at the same time. Hey, I’ve got illegal’s hospital bills to pay for.
Canada, Currently has Socialized Medicine.. Hand her (And every other illegal alien) a Map and point her in the Direction of North!!!
AKA sane human being.
Straight from the liberal to conservative translator!!!
Ever think about giving the IRS a tip so they could followup on such thing?
(Filing form 3949-A)
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=106778,00.html
Last year we had to take my baby daughter to the emergency room. We waited there for over an hour waiting for care. I also saw children who had blood-soaked towels wrapped around parts of their bodies, waiting. Don’t get me started on all of the people in there who weren’t speaking English!
On March 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm, redpeach said:
That’s how you know you won the arguement. She had no logical arguements so she was reduced to namecalling.
Your sister has emotions, not opinions.
We’re told there are 11-12 million (I know, this figure changes often) uninsured Americans in this country. Where do they get the statistic for this? Does it come from the ERs around the nation who report on the number of uninsured persons, but not on their legal status? If this is even remotely possible, can it be that there are not as many uninsured American citizens as we’re led to believe? That these numbers are super inflated? Just asking.
Boo hoo… another freeloader gets their due. Shut out all the illegal freeloaders and then deport them. How many of these illegals are also using some American citizen’s social security number to get these services?
Graciela, go back to Mexico if you don’t like it here because I know somewhere out there there’s an American who will do your job. You’re not that precious.
I believe that is incorrect. That resembles the estimates of the number of IA (Illegal Aliens) in the US (by several orgs.).
The number of (medically) uninsured Americans at last glance was about 46 million – roughly 1 in 6.
HTH
To find out that 15% of the uninsured in America are illegal immigrants really set my blood boiling. Take away those uninsured from the equation and that brings it down to around 10% of Americans being uninsured. Looking at a glass that’s 90% full should make us all question why the government should ruin it for the rest of us to help the 10% remaining? I’m sorry, but this is so maddening!
Mexico has abundant crop land (especially away from the Northern borders), mineral wealth, a lot of scenic beaches ideal for tourism, and abundant supplies of oil and natural gas, although the national constitution forbidding anything that might even smack of foreign ownership ensures that state owned and politically controlled PEMEX does a pretty poor job exploiting Mexico’s oil and gas resources.
Except for a culture that accepts the mañana attitude of not really caring about promptness, or attention to detail, a culture that accepts petty corruption as the price of doing business, and a political system that merges the worst of crony capitalism for a few select families with the failed Marxism of the revolutionary period, Mexico should be a successful country, almost a ‘First World’ country.
Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul -
Sir, succinctly stated and right on point.
Well done.
PhredE.. Thanks.
Vicki, you can bet there are more than 10-12 million illegals here. And their % of that bogus 46 million uninsured number is probably more like one-third of it.
And someone mentioned the free lunch (literally) that schools end up providing for the children of these illegals. They often will also get free supplies.
So the lesson is kids… screw going to work. Just live off the public trough.
I wonder which agency will have the guts to do a non-partisan study of the actual cost of supporting the illegal immigrant population in the USA. Actual cost. School, medicine, food stamps, uninsured motor vehicle accidents, in-state tuition, etc. Who will stand up for the American citizens who are tired of footing the bill, and even more tired of being told we’re racist for even complaining? I want hard numbers. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
As Michelle would say: “Graciela, call a WAAAAAAAAAAAAHmbulance!!!!
Undale. Corre, corre, corre rapidamente a su paiz! Undale!!!
Contra Costa County…will vote on whether to stop handing out health freebees to lawbreakers while charging law-abiders for the same services.
If this were any credible news source, the story would read as I’ve outlined above.
Back in the days of Hippiedom when all this started. There would be groups that would feed, clothed, and give medicine to illegals and drugged hippies. When asked where they obtain the food, closes and medicine, they would reply that they boosed it. That was the word they used instead of stealing it. It looks like it hasn’t changed. They are stealing it but in other ways.
Regarding the “free lunch” thing: In LAUSD, students just check the box, eat the free lunch (some of it) and the rest goes in the garbage. Interestingly enough, my wife notes that during her years teaching elementary in So.Central LA, that all of these “poor” students who couldn’t afford lunch on their own always seemed to come to school with a bag of flaming hot Cheetos and a Sunny D bottle.
Do the math. Those who contribute are being bankrupted by those who do not.
Wow, CA can’t afford the compasion anymore….boo hoo! When hospitals lose money because of the uninsured, that causes the price of insured healthcare to increase to cover costs. Add to that any unnecessary test which doctors will order to cover their butts, and no wonder health insurance is sky high. I have refused to have some tests done when it was more for the doctor’s piece of mind than mine. I was then asked why I was refusing since it was my insurance co who pays not me. My response was that I pay to have the insurance so that the test was not free. We don’t need national healtcare since we already have it. It’s call taxpayer funded care!
Just a suggestion to the senora and her homies-Cry yourself a river and swim back home.
I never thought I would write this; can I please have Mexico’s immigration laws?
GSP
“This is Sparta!
DRASTIC???
How about the United States of America Citizens that have suffered because of these criminals?
Fire American CITIZENS or quit AMERICAN TAXPAYER PAID services to free-loading ILLEGALS? Thats not a question that ever needs to be asked.
(probably underestimated)
$6 MILLION! Multiply that by counties across this nation and we DON’T have a health insurance “issue”.
Build the damn fence/wall. Save Billions.
Go back to mexico (& stay there), then DEMAND that they do something for you!
Fill out your will first—-
I want to feed hungry children who are victims of their parents’ choice to be here illegally. I think children of illegal immigrants should be placed into the child welfare system until their parents become legal residents. If the parents do not gain legal status within 5 years, they should be placed for adoption. Many families, myself included, would be happy to parent a child and provide for their needs.
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/03/the_cost_of_illegal_alien_heal.html
I posted this before, but it is worth a revisit.
Sorry folks. Those of you that know me know my heroes have always been Republicans. However, the focus of your issue here is reversed. Historically, Republican administrations have given (or attempted to give) Amnesty and soften Immigration Enforcement efforts in the US.
Reagan signed IRCA in 1986 and created the largest mass scale pardon of criminals (yes, all aliens who enter the US in violation of law are chargeable as criminals – read 8 US Code seciton 1325(a)(iii)) in the history of world. Bush did his darndest to replicate that – even in the face of mass resistance from the very people that put him in office (us).
Clinton, as much as I disdain him, signed the IRIRA of ‘96 in to effect and changed the way (for the far better) Immigration laws are enforced in this country.
Yes, it is generally the lower level Democrats that do everything possible to give our country away to illegal aliens. However, at the highest levels, Republicans seem to bend over for them with a speed and willingness that boggles the mind.
The popular resistance to Bush’s attempt to validate the Reconquista was, for me, living proof that the America I was promised in school is alive and well. Let’s take that same passion and apply it toward fighting the Communists that wish to destroy our country (a.k.a. Democrats).
I hate it when economics gets in the way of a bad liberal policy.
Flmom,
You are absolutely correct. However, I think all of us need to question all our Republican elected officials and make sure they think of Americans first. Not just the RINO’s. This isn’t the Olympia Snow crowd I am talking about – It was Reagan and his legacy. I was 17 in ‘86. I can’t imagine why the great one would have supported this.
DUH!
It’s like a nightmare where you scream yet nothing comes out.
Haven’t we been saying this for years.
Vickisoup, there have been numerous such studies done. Each has shown the cost to American taxpayers in the 10’s to $100’s of $B’s each year. Studies by FAIR, Center for Immigration Studies, etc have conducted this research. The MSM rarley picks up on them and when they do, they get some liberal open borders nut to try to discredit the study by using “soft” data, and no proof (eg, the claim that most illeglas pay taxes but don’t file returns, with no factual evidence supporting it). But the costs of incarcerating illegal criminals, health care, anchor babies births, food stamps, welfare (at least for their new anchor babies) etc are staggering. Here is one study on the cost to California ($9B/year).
http://morganwrites.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/californias-illegal-aliens-cost-taxpayers-nearly-9-billion-a-year/
Likewise, the business orgs and gov’ts (you know those that benefit from illegal immigration) have also tried to do their own studies to refute the prior mentioned research. In Texas, the AG office tried to say illegals were a net benefit (though very small) to Texas. Problem was they excluded many items like education of their anchor babies, health care, etc. Obviosuly a flawed study designed to deceive.
My take has always been, even if you prove there is a small benefit to the American taxpayers by their presence, you have to look at the risk/reward. If the benefit does not compensate/offset the added risk to our country, why take the risk for a small gain? To help some foreign people who ignored our immigration laws and gamed the system? Makes no sense. I wouldn’t invest $1M in a stock that has 2X the risk level of the average stock in the DOW, for a 5% return.
As much as I am a conservative and very much in favor of strong immigration laws, being in the medical field, brings me to say something. I could never turn anyone away, in a true medical emergency, from the ER, illegal or not. Nor, could I turn away someone there whose symptoms reflect a probable minor condition, without checking first. A “stuffy nose” can be the pre-curser to a host of problems. An “upset stomach” could be the pre-curser to an MI (heart attack). “I got a pain in my abdomen” could need immediate emergency surgery. I am not dealing with a citizen, tourist, or illegal alien. I’m dealing with a human being. Politics stays outside. In other words, I’d work just as hard saving Bill Ayers or Ward Churchill, as I would Michelle Malkin. Yes, we run tests. Medicine, contrary to public opinion, is far from perfect. It’s only been a little over 100 years since we even had an accepted “germ theory”. Humors and Galen were much of the norm. As we find more and more things that can go wrong, we need tests to give us a good shot at fixing the problem. We’re not all medical geniuses. Not to mention, lawsuits…but that’s another subject. Outside the ER, he’s a terrorist, an illegal alien, a multiple murderer, or whatever. Inside, he’s a human, and if one of us decides differently, it’s time to turn in the license to practice. Triage is a major problem that we have in the ER. Instant decisions need to be made on who needs to be treated first, and who can wait. Lord knows, that’s far from perfect too. Everyone is an emergency, in their own mind…and rightly so. We keep trying. A 100 years from now, medical students will look back on us, commenting on how “barbaric” we were, much as we look back at 1900. Outside, I may not stand you; inside, I’ll be a fighter.
Hilarious! Big talking, self-righteous California politicians changing their tune when they run out of other people’s money to spend. Looks like we know what rules in California: BUCKPOWER! Who goes into the trash can next? Elderly folks? The banana slug?
Whales? How about that salt marsh mouse Pelosi?
My understanding is Reagan was promised, by the usual suspects (ie kennedy), that this was a one time only amnesty. Never again. That the congress would ensure the border was sealed against further illegal entry. In other words, Reagan beleived the morons in the congress and now look at the mess we are in.
But I don’t disagree with you on the Repubs and holding them accountable. If not for the backlash from conservatives in 2006 and 2007, I strongly believe amensty would have passed wiht the support of 70% of repubs. Bush and the other RINO’s were pressing hard. But too many were up for re-election and they saw the anger in their constituents.
This story made me sick when I read it. I live in Contra Costa County and I have seen the problem of illegal immigration explode here. The local government turns a blind eye to ALL the illegal aliens that line up in front of 7-11’s, The Home Depot, and U-Haul. I’ve spoken with the police, and they say shop owners won’t speak up for fear of retaliation. Things are getting really bad here.
I would like to believe you. But I knew too many Border Patrol agents that were around in the mid ’80’s who told stories of not having enough fuel for their squad cars, ammunition to practice with or safety equipment to perform their jobs. As late as 2000, Vietnam era single engine Hueys were the standard BP helicopter.
I can’t imagine Reagan was half that stupid. I certainly can’t fathom him being fooled by the likes of Kennedy. Ever.
I think he honestly believed that making them legal would produce a low cost workforce for Texas and California (the places mainly effected in the ’80’s). He miscalculated in the extreme. It is 25 years later and there are still convicted criminal aliens who are in limbo because INS and now CIS did not and do not have the minerals to simply deny their appeal (of denial for legalization under IRCA).
Sorry everyone, I could go on forever with this. I will spare you.. for now.
I understand the medical ethos, so I understand what you mean. Medical professionals treat the sick without questioning their legal status. The problem is that the illegal aliens shouldn’t be here to be your problem in the ER or our problem in paying for them. Their illegal presence causes costs for citizens and legal immigrants as well as governmental agencies to go sky-high.
I object to the story explaining how the scofflaw employer preferred to hire “immigrants” when they are not “immigrants;” they are illegal aliens!
Hope is not a plan; not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST!!!!!
ECS
Adios Graciela.
Even worse, given that the capacity of the medical system is finite, and that it is under under much stress at the moment, then services rendered to illegals are necessarily services likely denied to citizens and legal residents. …Services that might desperately be needed to boot.
Yes indeed. There is no greater insult to immigrants in the US to be confused with, or compared to, illegal aliens. By definition, illegal aliens lack authorization to work.
Good catch.
Where’s the rest of the story? I want to know how the other 41 percent are getting insured.
Hey, I hear ya. It was a huge mistake to ever grant amensty, and I was disappointed when it happened.
But Reagan did beleive we would enforce the laws (especially employment laws) in the future. He saw it as a tradeoff. But Congress never followed through on any of the provisions to stop illegal immigration. Here is one excerpt from this article in the NY Times (it’s acutally a rebuke of the 2006 amensty legislation).
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/opinion/24meese.html
“In the mid-80’s, many members of Congress — pushed by the Democratic majority in the House and the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy — advocated amnesty for long-settled illegal immigrants. President Reagan considered it reasonable to adjust the status of what was then a relatively small population, and I supported his decision.
In exchange for allowing aliens to stay, he decided, border security and enforcement of immigration laws would be greatly strengthened — in particular, through sanctions against employers who hired illegal immigrants. If jobs were the attraction for illegal immigrants, then cutting off that option was crucial. “
My point being, why isn’t the left outraged that several million illegal aliens are insured while so many more million American citizens aren’t?
Don’t ask us to decide who should have treatment and who should wait, based on anything else than how critical the patient is. You want stronger immigration laws…fine, I most hardly agree! Get out there and do something about it. Don’t ask us to make that decision. You, a citizen, is sitting there with a problem, and an illegal alien comes through in cardiac arrest, guess who waits? In Stalin’s time, he would. In an ER, we must maintain a high standard of morality. I may work on a bunch of illegals all morning…doing all I can to treat them or even save them. Then, in the afternoon, off duty, go out and join a protest against illegals. We have our professional lives and our personal lives; sometimes, in conflict. What we live with.
Weary Citizen,
Well, you have me. I just can’t justify Reagan actually believing that in my head. He had so many other things right.
I started with the INS when HW was President and the term “Enforcement Minded” was used by most INS Officers at the time as a slander. I was constantly reminded that we were a “Service” while I sat in a strip mall parking lot and listened to Nigerians tell tales of picking onions out of trees so they could qualify as “Special Agricultural Workers”. If we dared deny someone, the gentle hand of a Supervisor would be on your shoulder and a grave head shaking followed by the “come to Jesus” talk would follow. Apparently, the Bush Administration INS didn’t issue denial stamps for a reason.
It is just a disappointment, really. When I saw W try for amnesty just before 9/11 and shamnesty a few years ago, I just stopped trusting any of them.
However, I can’t abide Socialism so I will vote for anyone before voting Democrat. In today’s climate, that leaves one choice..
Oh my! Who’d have thunk it? /sarc
Hey, I’ve thought of a great use of the ‘Fairness Doctrine.” Every time the MSM tells a sob story about illegals, they need to tell one of the murder/rape/robbery/gang/prisoner sort.
BTW, Graysonret,
You are absolutely right. Doctors take an oath to treat fellow humans. To think that Doctors or hospitals should be off limits to anyone in need would A. be morally wrong and B. negate the conservative argument against Socialized Medicine.
ECS, you are also correct in saying that if we actually prevented illegal aliens from entering the USA, Graysonret wouldn’t have this dilemma.
We have pretty tough laws on Immigration already on the books. The solution is to make politicians allow the correct Officers to enforce them. It won’t look pretty on TV. Real Law Enforcement rarely does.
Oh, NOT happy day. Just saw a pickup truck dropping off a pile of mattresses at the foreclosed house next door.
Odds are good that another criminal illegal alien invader will be bedding down mere feet away.
I’d better get my friends Smith and Wesson and Mossberg oiled up and ready for some action – - seeing that our country won’t be taking care of things for us.
There ya go PJ…
No – *YOU* got the bill. Didn’t you see it in the higher cost of *your* treatment and/or the higher cost of *your* insurance premiums.
Hospitals can’t simply eat the cost of illegal aliens – they pass it on to people who actually follow the rules and pay.
You and me.
Illegals should get no welfare benefits. No education benefits (especially no in-state tuition – in fact they should not be allowed to attend public college at all). And no non-life-threatening healthcare benefits.
conservative in europe, you seem to have it in for Reagan. Yes he did sign the amnesty bill in ‘86, that was intended to allow 1 or 2 million aliens to legally migrate to America. The problem that resulted was with INS at the time, they did not follow through and enforce the law, for what ever reason. You make it sound like Reagan should have been on the board himself watching for illegals entering the country. Once again the system was broke.
As far as 11 to 12 million illegals is a joke of a number, by ICE’s own estimates 1,000,000 illegals enter the country every year going back to the amnesty bill of ‘86, it’s a lot closer to 30 plus million not the 12 million the open boarder folks like to use.
I should clarify my statement above about the INS not doing their job, that was a result of congress not doing theirs. From there the illegal alien problems ballooned to what we have today, mainly thanks to the globalist Bush’s.
I lived in San Diego in ‘74, remember seeing in the news the contraversy about American medical van driving to Tijuana one day a week. picking up sick Mexicans, bringing them to to San Diego for medical help, think that attitude didn’t feed the illegal alien invasion?
RIR,
I don’t have it in for Reagan. I just think IRCA was an extremely stupid move. I was there for most of it. INS followed the law. The law stank.
There were no enforcement teeth to IRCA. The only thing close to teeth was employer sanctions and your couldn’t enforce those because employers always had the argument that they weren’t immigration officers and couldn’t be expected to know what a counterfeit document was. Explanation: The I-9 was introduced with IRCA and requires that a prospective employee provide documentation that they are legally entitled to work. This created a still booming business in poor quality counterfeit green cards used almost exclusively for the I-9. Immigration Officers call them 50 footers because you can spot them that far away. But, employers still aren’t immigration officers and it’s almost impossible to prosecute them due to the term “knowingly violate” in the law.
So, IRCA had no teeth and it allowed millions of people to obtain benefits based on being successful criminals. It’s like telling bank robbers that if you get away clean five times, you will be pardoned. This was a stupid law. Period.
Other than that, everything else Reagan did in his eight years (defeating the Soviets, returning capitalism and pride to the USA, lowering tax rates to create an economic boom, making Jimmy Carter irrelevant, etc..) is, in my book, what makes him the greatest President of the 20th century.