Comments on: The Truth about Immigrants and Health-Care Reform

By: Health Care, Immigrants, and the Character of Our Country

Health Care, Immigrants, and the Character of Our Country — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:13:03 +0000

[...] and important role to play — to define and raise the moral issues beneath the policy debate. One major moral issue that has surfaced is how we treat the immigrant in our society as we discuss and debate health-care [...]

By: Jim Wallis: Health Care, Immigrants, and the Character of our Country | Mind, Body, Soul – SmarterStrongerWiser.com

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:06:20 +0000

By: Jim Wallis: Health Care, Immigrants, and the Character of our Country | Obama Biden White House

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:15:31 +0000

By: tandemjonathan

tandemjonathan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:22:20 +0000

I have a number of friends at church who are undocumented immigrants. One story I'm aware of shows how, in this case at least, not only are they not draining the resources, but they are subsidizing the costs for the rest of us.

My friend went to the hospital for some tests, and was amazed at the bill she received (it would have been much less in her country). She worked out a payment plan and paid every penny. If I had undergone the same tests, my insurance company would have negotiated a substantial discount and I would have paid much less than she did for the same tests. This is an example of how the system is broken as well as how my friend is keeping the costs down for those of us who have insurance.

By: tandemjonathan

tandemjonathan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:22:20 +0000

By: wjschroeder

wjschroeder — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:43:08 +0000

they are just tring to dance around the whole point and issue of complainst against this issue. the FACT is we do not want the government involved in our lives any further than it already is. they are to invovled in our daily lives as it is. its becoming socialism whether you can swallow the statement or not, just research what social consist of. As christians we belong to GOD we obey God in socialism this is not possible because the government controls you. socialism drives out God plain and simple, look at every government that as gone this route and you will see the steady decline in faith and religion. See this is what happens when God is taken out of the discussion. we all think worldly. we bring our faith into it just to try and convince people one way or the other. governments do NOT go by what God tells them. governments are sources of power and will not abide by Gods standards. YET sojouners and christian organisations wants us to believe they will or could or whatever. I SAY NO WAY REREAD THE BIBLE.

By: nuclearferret

nuclearferret — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:35:01 +0000

Your article fails completely to discern any difference in status and results from immigrants who are in the United States against appropriate laws, and immigrants who have complied with US law. Is this because you do not think the difference is meaningful? You think opposition to the current proposals is universal to all immigrants, or are you merely trying, to use an analogy, trying to mix good milk with bad in an effort to obscure the issue of illegal immigration?

By: neuro_nurse

neuro_nurse — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:15:16 +0000

While I appreciate the author’s attempt to introduce these studies and their conclusions into the health care debate, this is not new information. Other studies conducted several years ago drew similar conclusions – and I’ve cited them on previous GP threads.

By: lumens

lumens — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Sorry. I wasn't clear.

The concern to which this post is responding is that universal healthcare, coupled with amnesty, would result in a strain on the new system.

Illegal immigrants may indeed be avoiding attaining coverage now, but that will not be the case if they no longer fear getting caught. Since Obama is promising to cut costs, and presumably supports amnesty, his positions seem mutally exclusive.

By: lumens

lumens — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:58:49 +0000

The misinformation was propagated by those who support reform. I read that very argument on this blog.

By: JamesM

JamesM — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:06:59 +0000

“But you can hardly blame someone for assuming that, since illegal immigrants are largely uninsured, they are contributing to a substantial problem.” lumens f/k/a Kevin47 (banned)

Especially if you agree with the anti-immigrant agenda of those who would propagate such misinformation. Right, Kevin?

By: josieperl47

josieperl47 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:10:10 +0000

Some years ago, my kids dragged me kicking and screaming to the computer and said it was time for me to join the world of technology. “Pick a screen name,” they said. I was 47 years old at the time. So no significance at all other than a constant reminder of how many years I've been sitting in a chair, goofing off on the computer.

By: josieperl47

josieperl47 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:59:58 +0000

I don't get it. Can you explain further? If they go without care rather than risk getting caught, how will they drive up health care costs?

By: lumens

lumens — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:58:15 +0000

Off topic, but I have to ask about the significance of the 47, if there is any.

By: lumens

lumens — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:55:15 +0000

“Or perhaps some people think as I do, that illegal immigrants go without health care if it means they might get caught and sent back.”

Which would validate the concerns of those who think illegal immigrants will drive up universal health care costs.

By: josieperl47

josieperl47 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:04:45 +0000

I think if you read the article, you'll find all the answers to your questions. I'm not sure where you read the things you bring up but the article has the statistics that answer each of those silly notions.

By: josieperl47

josieperl47 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:58:03 +0000

Or perhaps some people think as I do, that illegal immigrants go without health care if it means they might get caught and sent back. Going to the ER is a scary thing for them in that aspect.

Truth be told, illegal immigrants give more than they take from this country.

By: prk

prk — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:45:48 +0000

1.Wow insured immigrants use less. What about the uninsured immigrant?

2. Wow 300 million Americans and there are more of them uninsured than the 10 million illegal alliens? Are you sure?

3.Wow 300 million Americans are more likely to go to the emergency room than 10 million illegal alliens? So it aint so.

By: Intel_Logos

Intel_Logos — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:43:43 +0000

Allison, I love Sojourners. And Wallis.

But not on this one. Not yet.

The theology here is Elijah’s ignorance standing before the mother with a dead son. Elijah-bama with five, alternating, competing drafts. Not good.

Insinuate theology into ambiguity if you wish. Truth is that we’re as ignorant of revelation yet as is Elijah in ignorance before this mother.

I don't want to pollute your good forum with my extended blather (for more on my bias, see http://intellogos.blogspot.com/2009/08/20090817...).

Jim

By: GCH

GCH — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:53:50 +0000

I have a number of friends who are immigrants with no health insurance. When they need medical care, they do not go to the emergency room, because the ER takes too long to be seen, runs too many unnessary tests, and charges too much. Instead, they use a medical clinic here that does not accept insurance and charges very reasonable fees. They PAY for their own medical care. The doctor at this clinic is, in essence, their primary care physician.