Thread: AZ. Sheriff Weighs in on Hospital Immigration Checks Debate

Arizona Sheriff Weighs in on Hospital Immigration Checks Debate

by L.A. Holmes | February 20, 2011

As debate intensifies over a new Arizona proposal requiring hospital patrons to show proof of legal U.S. residency, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says the controversial measure is just one piece of a larger effort to curb illegal immigration.

"These admission medical facilities are being flooded with people, and the public here is outraged that they have to wait in the back of the line, insurance rates go up-they want something done about it, and that's just one piece of the puzzle," Arpaio said on America's News HQ Sunday.

"What's wrong with asking for someone's identification?" Arpaio asked. "I don't see any problem to see if someone's here legally or illegally."

Others do. Dr. George Pauk, former co-chair of the Arizona Coalition for a State and National Health Plan, said the state measure not only addresses a nonissue, but it also adds an unnecessary burden on health workers.

"It'd be a disaster for the people of Arizona to enact [this bill]," Pauk said. "It would criminalize health care workers like nurses, doctors--make them work as immigration officers to investigate patients and to report them to immigration authorities. It is completely unethical for us to do that."

"Immigrants use health care less than half as much as the average person in the United States; they actually cost us much less than do ordinary citizens," Pauk added.

Arizona Senate Bill 1405 would require hospital personnel to confirm that a patient is a citizen or legal resident of the U.S. before admitting that person. If not, personnel would have to contact immigration authorities to report that individual.

The bill permits hospitals to treat illegal immigrants who seek emergency room services as provided by federal law, but would require hospital employees to report those persons after successful care.

Arpaio, known for his successful yet controversial illegal immigration sweeps, admitted there are problems with the law, but said it will at least prompt discussion about a serious issue.

"We have a big problem in Arizona with illegal immigration. Thousands are coming through our area into other areas in the United States, so it is a big problem, and we're taking it on full force," Arpaio said.

http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/ ... cks-debate

Lots of places they could look to see if they have correct papers.
How about workplace, welfare office, applying for a bank loan, renting/buying a house before it goes any further.
How about an ICE agent at the welfare office and printing names of recipients in the newspaper??

That's the first thing I'd be looking for.

Every hospital should check documentation to prevent illegals from getting free medical services. It should read, NO DOCUMENTS, NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE. Yes EVERY employeer needs to verify documentation. Cut of their jobs and medical and alot of them are going to slther back over the border along with their anchor brats.

Last time I went to the emergency room, I had to show my drivers license. So does that make them immigration officers? Why would it put a burden on hospital employees? You would think that they would be happy to have an excuse to check them. My firend works in a hospital admintance and she has been told on many times by hispanics that "you can't make me pay." They game our system. I lived near the border for a while and tho they don't speak English, they sure no how to get round our system. I worked in a grocery store and a mexican lady got mad at me because I didn't speak Spanish. I don't understand. It is not the color of their skin, it is where they come from. And that goess for any race. If we are going to let people in this country, why can't we be pickey and only let those in that can pay their way and be pickey of what country we let them in from. I say the middle east would be a big no for me.

"Immigrants use health care less than half as much as the average person in the United States; they actually cost us much less than do ordinary citizens," Pauk added.

So... we are talking about Illegals not immigrants. And it does not matter one whit if the illegals use half the average health care (which I do not believe for one minute is true, for the southwest states especially), it is still costs that hospital (thus tax payers) money that these freeloaders should not be given in any form when Americans cannot afford their own healthcare.
Emergency care only and then deport.

Originally Posted by forest

"Immigrants use health care less than half as much as the average person in the United States; they actually cost us much less than do ordinary citizens," Pauk added.

So... we are talking about Illegals not immigrants. And it does not matter one whit if the illegals use half the average health care (which I do not believe for one minute is true, for the southwest states especially), it is still costs that hospital (thus tax payers) money that these freeloaders should not be given in any form when Americans cannot afford their own healthcare.
Emergency care only and then deport.

Absolutely, forest. Not one minute, not one dime, beyond emergency care and then deport.

I've had a family member that I've had to take to the hospital and they ask her name, address, birth date, insurance information and social security number. I go to the urgent care walk-in clinic and pay cash for myself and they ask my name, address, birth date, social security number and make a photocopy of my driver's license. If you don't have a valid social security number or driver's license or state ID, then someone at the hospital should ask if you're a US citizen, an immigrant with papers, or an illegal alien. What is the problem with that? If you're an illegal alien or were an immigrant but your papers expired, what is wrong with notifying US immigration authorities that a crime is in progress in your hospital?

Besides, there's a federal law that reimburses hospitals and doctors for emergency care provided to illegal aliens, so these medical facilities are already asking the question and verifying the answer in order to be reimbursed. These medical professionals report everything else to the federal government about their patients to CDC and DHHS. They also report suspected rapes to the police, they report suspected domestic violence to the police and they report suspected child abuse to police.

Others do. Dr. George Pauk, former co-chair of the Arizona Coalition for a State and National Health Plan, said the state measure not only addresses a nonissue, but it also adds an unnecessary burden on health workers.

So don't tell me this law adds an unnecessary burden on health workers. Every minute you spend and every dime it costs to treat illegal aliens is in fact an unnecessary and outrageous burden on your hospital that you pass on to innocent citizens and legal residents with waits and delays in service as well as higher prices to absorb the cost of your treating illegal aliens.

Others do. Dr. George Pauk, former co-chair of the Arizona Coalition for a State and National Health Plan, said the state measure not only addresses a nonissue, but it also adds an unnecessary burden on health workers.

So it is a problem to increase a little work to help keep our nation safer, and to eliminate criminals out of society?

The added burden is undocumented aliens over flooding medical centers across the nation, and sending the U.S. into a deeper recession.

(Economic impact of illegal immigrants in the United States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_i ... ted_States