Thread: Galveston's University of Texas Medical Branch may halt canc

Galveston's University of Texas Medical Branch may halt cancer care for illegal immigrants
Associated Press
http://www.dallasnews.com


GALVESTON – The University of Texas Medical Branch may stop offering cancer care to poor illegal immigrants, a policy that would save money but run counter to the medical school's mission of treating the poor.

The school has a $1.4 billion annual budget and set aside about $12 million this year to treat indigent cancer patients, said Karen Sexton, vice president and chief executive officer of hospitals and clinics at the medical branch.

The medical branch's Cancer Patients Acceptance Committee has for months been studying the issue of turning away illegal immigrants because of financial pressures. Such a policy raises obvious ethical questions, Dr. Sexton said.

"Any time there's any restriction in access to care, there's pushback from people who are concerned about that," she said. "It doesn't feel right to us, either."

Even if the new policy were put into effect, the medical branch would not stop treating cancer patients already in its care.

If the medical branch turns away illegal immigrants, the Harris County Hospital District probably will see an increase in its patient load, said King Hillier, vice president of public policy and government relations of the district.

Mr. Hillier doesn't want that to happen. "We do not question citizenship status," he said. "If they live in Harris County and can prove residency, then they are paying taxes. If they're paying rent, then their landlord is paying property taxes to the hospital district."

How many citizens are denied cancer treatments because they are poor? Since when do illegal aliens come before citizens and legal immigrants?