One controversial topic that has concerned the U.S. government is how to handle illegal and legal immigrants. More importantly, what rights should we extend to them? As the debate over the health care reform bill continues, a key question is whether or not we should extend health-care insurance coverage to illegal immigrants. In the article, "Liberals Seek Health-care Access for Illegals," from the Washington Times, it discusses both parties views on this issue. From a Democratic standpoint, illegal immigrants deserve the right to receive health insurance. They argue that because illegal immigrants are generally young and in good health that if they can afford to purchase health insurance, whether it be through the government or private insurers, the cost of healthcare will go down for everyone. One key element to their argument is that providing health care insurance for illegal immigrants will reduce the number of emergency room visits that result in unnecessary costs for hospitals.On the other side of the issue, a Republican from Iowa argues that, "If anybody can, with a straight face, advocate that we should provide health insurance for people who broke into our country, broke our law and for the most part are criminals, I don't know where they would ever draw the line." For decades, the government has tried to come up with several ways to punish illegal immigrants for crossing the border and living on U.S. soil without paying taxes and not following state and federal laws. Because of this, Republicans feel that it is ridiculous that we are even thinking of giving illegal immigrants the opportunity to purchase health insurance.
Another question is that once immigrants are legal, should they be allowed to purchase health insurance? The Democrats find that since legal immigrants are involved in communities and contribute to society in several different ways, that they should have the right to purchase health insurance. Ultimately, I feel that if illegal immigrants make the effort to become legalized citizens, they should receive the same rights as any natural born citizen of the U.S.
However, the bigger question is whether or not illegal immigrants should be allowed to purchase health insurance? Will it be a benefit or detriment to the health care reform?
This is one of the issues that has been on the forefront of the health care debate. I personally believe that illegal immigrants should not receive health insurance. I'm not sure what hospitals policies are regarding operating on the uninsured (whether they do it or not?, but if they still operate even when the illegal immigrants don't have coverage, it contributes to the increasing of hospital bills that could go unpaid.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with giving immigrants who gain citizenship health insurance, because they are in fact citizens of America who have a right to obtain such a necessity. Legal immigrants pay taxes and they are as much American as any of us are. As far as illegal immigrants, I'm sorry, but they should work to gain citizenship just like everyone else and then they can receive coverage.
I have to agree with Anne on this topic. As the Republicans are thinking, I think it's ridiculous that we're even considering giving illegal immigrants the privilege of having health insurance.
ReplyDeleteWe've been trying to keep the illegal immigrants from "crossing the border" illegally and for some time now. How are we going to start giving them benefits so they can take even more advantage of the system? Giving them this right would be like assuring them that it's okay to break the law because we'll give them the same benefits as everyone else.