Thread: Denial of Medical Care Raising Concern

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Denial of Medical Care Raising Concern
April 8, 2005

The Pan-American Health Organization expressed concern Thursday about laws passed in some U.S. states, including Virginia, to deny medical attention to undocumented immigrants.

"It concerns us that medical attention might be taken from these people because it could generate a focus of infection for diseases," PAHO director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago told EFE.

Virginia's Democratic governor, Mark Warner, on March 29 signed a law denying access to public benefits to undocumented persons. Such public services include local medical care, as well as the federal Medicaid program, which provides health care to low-income families.

On the other hand, Roses praised the health care programs of California, Texas and the District of Columbia, which allow undocumented foreigners access to public medical services.

The PAHO chief said that providing medical services to undocumented persons benefits not only them, but also the entire community.

"In this way, they will not be a burden for the state in the future, but rather productive persons for the whole society," she added.

The U.S. Congress last year rejected a bill that would have denied medical attention to undocumented immigrants in the nation's hospital emergency rooms.

The law that went into effect in Virginia after approval by the state legislature allows undocumented people of all ages to receive emergency room care, pregnancy tests and immunizations.

However, it forbids them from receiving Medicaid benefits and other medical services after age 19.

Different estimates by lawyers and immigration experts calculate that in Virginia, where the total population exceeds 7.4 million, there live some 200,000 foreigners without the proper "immigration papers."

U.S. authorities says that one in every three Hispanics living in the United States lacks medical insurance. Numbering more than 40 million people, Hispanics are the country's largest minority.

In addition, Latinos make up 80 percent of the estimated 8 to 12 million undocumented persons living in the United States, according to a recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center, a research organization.

Roses on Thursday participated in an event at PAHO's Washington headquarters to commemorate World Health Day, dedicated to the health of women and children, at which she called for improvement in health policies affecting both mothers and infants.

"I ask you to work with us to raise funds, improve health access, inform the public, reach marginalized groups, help societies save mothers and children and do everything possible to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of mothers and children over the next five years. Together we can achieve much, but only if we all do our part," she said.

During the ceremony, Cuban-American physician Pedro Jose Greer was honored as a "Health Hero."

Greer was designated for the honor for his community work in Miami, where he provides medical help to thousands of women and children who do not have health insurance or other coverage.

"The exclusion from health (care) is clearly dangerous for pregnant women and newborns, and therefore we call for a strenthening of efforts to ensure that the most vulnerable survive and grow," Roses said in her speech.

She also said that each year 23,000 women die in Latin America and the Caribbean due to complications during pregnancy and birth.

The PAHO director added that the problem of discrimination also affects the numbers of these deaths, since the highest maternal-infant mortality rates are found among indigenous and black populations.

PAHO serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization. It works with all Western Hemisphere countries to improve the health and quality of life of their people.

The organization's member states include all 35 countries in the Americas, and Puerto Rico is an associate member. France, The Netherlands the United Kingdom are participating states, and Portugal and Spain are observer states.

The Pan-American Health Organization expressed concern Thursday about laws passed in some U.S. states, including Virginia, to deny medical attention to undocumented immigrants.

I'm sick and tired of these SOCIALIST groups that are not American organizations controlling the agenda!!

"It concerns us that medical attention might be taken from these people because it could generate a focus of infection for diseases," PAHO director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago told EFE.

Generate diseases? Say what???
The DISEASES have already ARRIVED and we're beginning to pay the price already! So, I ask, what good has all the FREE MEDICAL been doing? They couldn't keep up no matter what laws are or are not enacted.

What do other countries not understand about 'NO' American benefits are
for Americans. Each country can create their own fund to help their people, but they are too busy trying to get free healthcare, food, housing,
decreased education cost from the already too burdened over taxed average American they don't think or care to help themselves. There will
always be some American or foreigner who will not give a dime but will
suggest others that tax payers should. Sooner or later states will no longer be able to support the influx of illegal immigrants even if they want
to. Americans will be friendless over night then you will need many more
minutemen just to protect youself on any given day, don't believe it ? Run
out of money.

The Pan American Health Organization
Promoting Health in the Americas

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My Dear Judy,
Please grab your chair and HANG ON........

were you aware that we're not even allowed to check for HIV/AIDS?

MY Dear Amendsis--are you telling me that there is no health requirement or physical exam for Legal Immigrants, not even an aids/hiv?

Sweetie, if that's correct, as I'm sure it is coming from you, then we have EVERY RIGHT TO STOP ALL IMMIGRATION in the name of public health and safety. Aids/hiv is an epedemic. And we know once aliens are here they plan on having sex with somebody.

Judy, I can't say with knowledge about a normal physical......that we'll have to search out

BUT

NOT ALLOWED TO TEST FOR HIV/AIDS.....that we do know

Thanks. That is irresponsible not to test for HIV/AIDS. Why do you suppose?

That is irresponsible not to test for HIV/AIDS. Why do you suppose?

Oh my..............I could give you my husband's "explanation" but then I'll get banned for life, so I've got duct tape on my mouth because it's so darned tempting

IRRESPONSIBLE is such a respectable, delicate way to describe this situation. Wouldn't one say that it's INSANE so therefore the decision might have been made with an absolute purpose in mind?

The people making these decisions, the people making & breaking our laws............these are very crafty & shrewd people. They are NOT stupid.

Try and kill us off I suppose. I'm numb with all I'm learning. Nothing surprises me anymore. This news fills in another piece of the puzzle.