Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
Illegal immigrants, as well as legal immigrants in the country less than five years, are not eligible for free healthcare through Medicaid. A 2007 study estimated that less than 1 percent of Medicaid spending went to healthcare for illegal immigrants. Proponents of subsidized healthcare for immigrants argue that increased access to basic preventive care will lower the demand for costly emergency care. Opponents argue that immigrants in the healthcare system run the risk of becoming "permanent patients," because they have no relatives, insurance or an established address where they can go once released.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No
@9F7R4MM7mos7MO
If you are illegal, you shouldn't get rights in the U.S. , If you are legal you be able to get things that other Americans do. Not for free.
@9F8FN827mos7MO
The US is already struggling financially. Holding the Federal Government financially responsible for non-American citizens would only further this struggle and make life harder for tax paying Americans.
@9FP227H 6mos6MO
I believe many immigrants struggle without the help of their health. Therefore, creating an Immigration Healthcare program won't just make them more comfortable to seek health but also create a federal tax on immigrants just like any other human.
@9FP3XM96mos6MO
The United States is not responsible to care for those who came here illegally as they are not part of the citizenry that the government was made to serve.
@9JJQZNS 2mos2MO
Illegal=a crime. It is a crime to come over the border ILLEGALLY. There is a process to come over legally, and although it may be a long process that's just how it is. They aren't entitled to coming to our country. They have no rights as an illegal immigrant and they shouldn't even be here let alone deserve health care. ILLEGAL immigrants should be deported.
@9FP4K7R6mos6MO
I definitely agree that Healthcare needs to be more accessible to immigrants but to be more specific I believe that there should be a single payer Healthcare system funded by the government, and that anyone who pays taxes (or anyone in an emergency situation) should be covered by it which would include immigrants.
@9FRKDWF6mos6MO
They are humans, they're people. Healthcare is a human right that should be given to everyone in any country in the world.
@9JJQZNS2mos2MO
Not when you're illegally in the country. There is a process that you have to go through to become a legal immigrant, and just because it may be long or hard doesn't really change the fact of illegal immigration being wrong. They aren't entitled to come here and if they do they need to be here legally.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes
@9F7WFTG 7mos7MO
Top Disagreement
To help an illegal immigrant by using government-subsidized healthcare would be robbing our own citizens of their resources. Immigrants should be able to get help, but first they need to become one with our community and nation. It would not be fair to allow outsiders a chance to steal from us. If the condition is not critical then they can go elsewhere. We are not a charity, we are a country full of it's own people and it's own issues. To help others requires one to be in a near perfect condition otherwise the help trying to be given is sloppy and hurtful.
@9F9N86C7mos7MO
The United States always claims that it is the best country in the world, but what kind of good country doesn't help someone that is in need? I understand that helping illegal immigrants may take away resources from Americans, but if we didn't have such a bad healthcare system, we wouldn't have this issue and healthcare would be available to all Americans, as well as outside immigrants, legal or not, that need help.
@9JJQZNS 2mos2MO
Why is it immigrants are entitled to be here? I get that we may have a really great free country but that does not give everyone the right to be here especially illegally. We have laws and standards that need to be upheld. We can't just let anybody here any time under any circumstances. There is a legal process you must go through and although it maybe long and hard they aren't entitled to be here.
@9F9M4867mos7MO
Severly injured people should not be left to die on American soil treating immigrants does not take away from americans.
@9F9LZ6ZWomen’s Equality7mos7MO
We hardly even care for the people within our borders. These immigrants have nowhere else to go. We are the most easily accessable nation to these people in need of security and healthcare. We are all they have, so why not help our fellow human beings?
@9F9LFBJWomen’s Equality7mos7MO
My counter-argument is that the government doesn't know why the illegal immigrants are here it could be for health work or a better life for their families, and they are the ones that keep this country running and example of that is the field in Florida Their is no one that would do those type of jobs if it's not the immigrants. This is why illegal immigrants should have the right to healthcare.
@9F8FN827mos7MO
Illegal immigrants don't pay into the benefits that they would be afforded, therefore they shouldn't be allowed to accept those benefits.
@9F7Y4267mos7MO
For one, they are not paying the taxes or the money citizens in the country have paid just to have halfway decent health care. Why should someone who isn't even in the country LEGALLY get free health care?
@9F7JD48Republican7mos7MO
They need to become a citizen, just like everyone else. There does need to be a change in how immigrants obtain citizenship, such as speeding up the process or relaxing some requirements. But, healthcare is precious, and if they don't pay taxes, they shouldn't get free healthcare. It isn't fair to the people who have to pay for healthcare and pay taxes. Immigrants shouldn't be living in America for free without repercussions.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, and we should deport all illegal immigrants
@9G3RFPP6mos6MO
Top Disagreement
Illegal immigrants form the basis of our economy through their hard work. Many compromise their physical health working to provide food for our tables and a home for our families. It is immoral for our nation to compromise their natural rights to life and health due to institutional racism and prejudice. Keep in mind: every single one of us has an immigrant background!
@9G3V3F66mos6MO
I agree with the statement that was made. I feel like immigrants do sacrifice a lot, so they should be treated just as equally.
@9G3TVH86mos6MO
I agree. The backbone of our country should have every single right as every other U.S. citizen has!
@9G58JQ56mos6MO
I agree with this comment about immigrant healthcare because everyone should acknowledge that immigrants are hard workers that know what should be done to get to their next step in life. They work hard to show their purpose.
@9G4L2JM6mos6MO
I agree, illegal immigrants most of the time are here to work and shape a better future for their kids!
@9G8KFBNLibertarian 5mos5MO
illegal immigrants should be treated evenly and given the same opportunities as a citizen, it allows them to be less likely to commit serious crimes and instead help the country as a whole.
@9G935GC5mos5MO
I agree with that because not only will it prevent them to commit any crimes and it can also convince them to become citizens of America.
@9G92VM4Progressive 5mos5MO
Immigration healthcare is a very important aspect. As a child of Immigrants, I think that every human being deserves the right to be treated equally and given all of the same opportunities whether they were born there or not. As the Author states, this makes people much less likely to commit crimes and even builds up the community as one whole family. Healthcare is a necessary resource so all people should have access to some form of it.
@9GB5BR6Peace and Freedom5mos5MO
I agree, because they are already here either way they are not going to leave, so it is best they do things legally and help as a whole instead of causing destruction only because they were not born here. They want to achieve the American dream for their children and family for them to be successful.
@9G923WSWomen’s Equality5mos5MO
My thoughts are yes treat illegal immigrants evenly and fair but not for the reason that they will do harm when not given these opportunities.
@9GHYNRWPeace and Freedom5mos5MO
we should give illigal immigrants a chance, drug test them, and make sure they arent here to sell illigal things, but if they arent give them a chance, not all countries are as good as america, they were coming here for a better life and we should give them a chance to become an american citizen.
@9F85M6R7mos7MO
Illegal immigrants are criminals. They are more than welcome to come into the country legally; however, those who do not are criminals, and should be treated as such.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, and grant them citizenship
@9F4KR77Independent7mos7MO
A nation has a moral obligation to first and foremost take care of her people. Until we're providing a decent standard of living for all Americans, we shouldn't waste a single dollar on others.
@9GKJ92Y5mos5MO
If they can apply for citizenship and earn it then I see no problem. However if they dont qualify they should be deported.
@9FVGXF96mos6MO
Immigrants that immigrate to another country like the U.S., should be granted citizenship considering they might be having a fresh start in their life, and be provided with resources.
@9GX287XPeace and Freedom5mos5MO
Some of the reasons as to why are; Protection from deportation. Becoming a U.S. citizen protects you and your children from deportation., Citizenship for your children, Family reunification, Eligibility for government jobs, Freedom to travel, and Ability to vote.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, if they pay taxes
Taxes are an important thing here in the U.S and if immigrants aren't allowed healthcare while paying taxes then that's not fair.
@9FLQ8KV6mos6MO
Illegal immigrants are illegal. They are not citizens and therefore cannot be taxed, if they wish for healthcare then they need to go the legal way. Then they will be a citizen, pay taxes, and not be deported.
@9GGYPVQ5mos5MO
Taxes are an important thing here in the U.S and if immigrants aren't allowed healthcare while paying taxes then that's not fair.
@9G5CSZG6mos6MO
Currently drug cartels in Mexico are worse then ever, committing heinous crimes and selling illegal contraband
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, but only for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases
@9HPND9Z3mos3MO
YEs because having an infection can be serious and you don't want anybody to die because you refuse to help them because they come from a different country.
@9FZCD886mos6MO
It have no counter argument for that but, I would be wary of it due to the risk of fraud, abuse or waste.
@9FV7KR7Republican6mos6MO
Yes, we are all people, and if there is a disease wiping out hundreds of thousands of people, it will most likely hit the U.S. anyway, so we need to try to help anyway we can but controlled.
@9FR5WF56mos6MO
If it's life threatening, shouldn't they have a chance to live. We want America to be the best it can for everyone. It shouldn't matter if they have a green card or not. If someone is about to die then all efforts should be put forward to make living in America a possibility.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, and the government should never subsidize healthcare
@9GQ5LY7Independent5mos5MO
I feel it's inhumane to deny people medical care simply because they were not born in the United States.
@9GHPHKB5mos5MO
Healthcare should be **** ing free, there are so many people in debt due to this, raise the taxes make healthcare free.
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