Hayworth: "Illegal Immigration Putting American Health Care System at Risk"

Health care experts present compelling testimony at Capitol Hill hearing WASHINGTON Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) joined other members of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in listening to alarming testimony from a panel of nationwide health care experts regarding the negative impact that illegal immigration is having on America's health care system. These experts testified that emergency care units across America are cracking under the huge expense incurred in treating uninsured, illegal immigrants who come into their hospitals requiring emergency and extended care. They say the numbers of illegals who come to the emergency room has skyrocketed because illegals know they cannot be turned away. "The challenge is to find a solution that is reasonable and compassionate in treating the sick, but without putting an undue burden on the American taxpayer. Illegals are not only sneaking into the U.S. to find jobs, they are taking advantage of our health care system, racking up millions of dollars in unpaid bills." said Rep. Hayworth. Here are some examples of the economic impact illegal immigration has had on American health care: ¢ According to a study conducted in Mississippi, the cost of health care provided to illegal immigrants was about $35 million per year. ¢ Minnesota's study estimated that $17 million was spent on public assistance health care programs for unauthorized aliens. ¢ According to a study conducted in 2000, border hospitals spent more than $200 million to provide emergency care to undocumented aliens. ¢ According to a 2001 CRS study, $80.7 million was spent on emergency health services for illegal immigrants in Arizona. The same study showed that California spent $648.4 million. ¢ The federal government estimates that California hospitals spent at least $1.02 billion on health care for illegal immigrants in 2005. Here are some synopses of the July 28 testimony. ¢ Alan Kelly, Vice President and General Counsel for Scottsdale Health Care, testified that they spent over $300,000 on care, transport, and legal fees one illegal immigrant patient. After the Mexican government refused to take him back into their country, the hospital hired a private detective and found out the following. The patient had seven aliases, six Social Security cards, had been arrested three times (once on distribution drug charges) and deported seven times. Scottsdale Health Care finally did send him back to Mexico via ambulance, at their own expense. ¢ Alan Levine, President and CEO of North Broward Hospital District in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, testified that his hospital system incurred costs of $800,000 on one illegal immigrant patient. ¢ Dr. Frederick Blum from Morgantown, West Virginia and president of the American College of Emergency Physicians reported that his colleagues in border hospitals experience a "serial abuse" of the emergency services offered by hospitals. "It is clear that we have a serious problem on our hands and one that won't go away unless we act," said Rep. Hayworth. "I think our witnesses today got it right when they said the best way to address this problem is to enforce our immigration laws and secure the border. That's what I'm so committed to a policy of enforcement first." "Our hospitals are supposed to help sick patients, not play border patrol. Instead of just concentrating on medicine, we are now spending our resources and time as doctors, diplomats and deporters. This is something we cannot continue to afford to do," said Alan Kelly, Vice President and General Counsel for Scottsdale Health Systems. "While hospitals have a moral obligation to provide quality health care, the federal government also has an obligation -- to enforce our immigration laws."