Hospital warns migrants to pay up: Says failure could mean deportation

The Arizona Republic ^ | November 29, 2003 | Susan Carroll

[sarcasm]

TUCSON - Uninsured immigrants who fail to pay their medical bills are being reported to immigration officials and warned that they could face deportation under a new University Medical Center policy.

This month, hospital workers started calling the federal bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to turn in "foreign nationals" with delinquent accounts, said Barbara Felix, UMC's international patient service's coordinator. The policy, affecting legal and undocumented immigrants, reflects the growing frustration of hospital administrators along the U.S.-Mexican border saddled with millions of dollars in uncompensated care. UMC alone has incurred $3.3 million in unpaid bills from immigrants since July.

[DoughtyOne]

Paul Gattone, an attorney with the Southern Arizona People's Law Center in Tucson, called the hospital's policy "extortion."

"That's outrageous. It's potentially illegal and I think it may be a violation of these individuals' civil rights," he said.

I hadn't realized how many times I had been extorted in the past. I'm going to have to remember that one the next time my bills come due.

[sarcasm]

Won't work for you - you're an American

[Enterprise]

It's a tough way to collect all right. But ultimately, if illegals don't pay, hospitals have to close. Society's needs for hospitals to stay open outweigh the needs of illegal aliens to freeload.

[glorgau]

Actually, why not have them pay their bills and then deport them. They'll have less money with which to make their next cross over attempt

[DoughtyOne]

How well I know... ;)

[DoughtyOne]

Tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars later... our government still doesn't understand what you're saying. Of course you're right. Now, get some of the pinheads to acknowledge it.

[goldstategop]

They have the gall to complain. <sarcasm This American is going to pay $220 a month in 2004 for HMO health insurance. I'm sick and tired of having to subsize health care for illegal aliens. Two things: no its not an entitlement and its not a right. As far I'm concerned, what's immoral is hard working and law abiding Americans like me being ripped off by a bunch of ungrateful freeloaders who think we owe them a favor. Gevalt! Enough already!!! If illegal aliens receive hospital care and they don't pay up, deport them and send Mexican President Vicente Fox the bill.

[Penny]

Most hospitals don't close; they simply jack up the price for goods and services on American patients.

Ultimately, we, the taxpayers, are losers. Had hospitals years ago made similar threats, perhaps we wouldn't have the mess we have now, and perhaps jerks wouldn't be claiming "rights" of medical care. I don't recall the Constitution making that claim . . . Good day to you.
Penny

[Mo1]

"It is the right of all human beings to receive medical care regardless of their citizenship," she said. "That (policy) is saying, 'Don't come to the hospital because if you do, we'll turn you in.' It's frightening."

All you have to do is pay your bill and there is no problem

[goldstategop]

Yeah. Every year my health insurance ratchets skyward. Now I know why. I would love to receive free medical care. We Americans are such dummies.

[Lazamataz]

I am strongly against this outrageous hospital policy. It is completely wrong.

The hospital should report the illegals whether or not they pay.

[goldstategop]

Why does she think you and I have to pay the bill for her? Why can't she pay it? Imagine if they asked us to pay for other freebies besides medical care.

[autoresponder]

"Theft of services" over a certain dollar amount is a criminal felony.

Wilful, knowing, malicious fraud and theft.

Over 50% of convicts in US prisons are illegal aliens.

Yet they say (only?) 9-12 million in the USA are illegal aliens out of 290-300 million people in the USA now.

That means only 3-4% of the people in America who are illegal aliens (only?) make up over 50% of the (caught, charged, & convicted) serious and violent criminal felons in the USA.

Think about it!

Hold your politicians feet to the fire or lose your freedoms and liberties!

[Lazamataz]

All you have to do is pay your bill and there is no problem.

I think it's totally unfair. Why should reporting to INS be based on paying a bill?

They should be reporting to INS regardless of the bill.

[goldstategop]

Our politicians seem to think NOT giving them uncompensated medical care is immoral and unethical. Go figure.

[goldstategop]

Agreed. The costs illegal aliens impose on this country go deeper than just uncompensated medical care. There's free public education for their children, social services, and welfare. All of this is bankrupting California. To the illegal alien lobby the problem is not that those here are contributing to a lower quality of life for every one else, its that we are not generous enough. And they wonder why people are outraged when they express this kind of take advantage of the schmielers attitude to the rest of us. Things have got to change and this really can't go on much longer.

[Kuksool]

{Guadalupe Castillo, a Tucson immigrant advocate, called on UMC to revoke the policy, saying it was "immoral" and "unethical." "It is the right of all human beings to receive medical care regardless of their citizenship," she said. "That (policy) is saying, 'Don't come to the hospital because if you do, we'll turn you in.' It's frightening."}

I would not be surprised if some liberal judge issues this kind of ruling.

[goldstategop]

He's right. This is the kicker the politicians created that has brought AZ's medical system to the verge of bankruptcy and its being repeated all over the country:

Under federal law, hospitals cannot ask about a patient's income or immigration status, and they cannot turn away anyone seeking medical help.

[jocon307]

"Over 50% of convicts in US prisons are illegal aliens."

Is that true? It can't be, give me a citation,please. Because if that IS true, I can solve many problems with one stone.

Deport all illegal aliens in US prisons (except maybe some of the really bad one, we might want to keep them in custody, hoping for their deaths). This will free up prison space, it will show the world we are serious about immigration reform, and it will therefore discourage future illegal immigration.

[goldstategop]

Yep. If their kids get to be in the public schools, they damn well are entitled to free medical care. I mean - what's the difference? Americans pay any way for this freeloading. Its politically acceptable welfare and you would think conservatives would be outraged. Instead, many have made a devil's bargin with the illegal alien lobby because its allows cheap labor and as long as businesses can keep their expenses off the books, a blind eye can be turned to bilking the public. Its a nice racket for the business friends of the GOP and the open borders politicians around Jorge Bush.

[DoughtyOne]

Well, having agreed with that premise for decades, I'm at least glad to see that under at least one circumstance someone will finally be willing to say enough is enough. It is outrageous that you and I have to pay for foreign national's healthcare when we can barely afford or own. Any guesses why? Smirk!

[DoughtyOne]

Agreed

[Lazamataz]

Over 50% of convicts in US prisons are illegal aliens.

I very seriously doubt this figure.

Please source it.

[Kuksool]

If we don't deport illegals in record numbers soon, no Republican will ever get elected to anything again.

[Lazamataz]

Well, having agreed with that premise for decades, I'm at least glad to see that under at least one circumstance someone will finally be willing to say enough is enough.

Hey, I'm new to the program. I've been up in the north most of my life, where an illegal immigrant is a crusty old Canadian grandmother obliviously driving her 1979 Lincoln to antique shows.

It is outrageous that you and I have to pay for foreign national's healthcare when we can barely afford or own. Any guesses why?

Why?

Smirk!

You been hanging out at Democrat Underground? They refer to Dubya as 'smirky'. ;^)

[DoughtyOne]

Up until about three years ago, California was the final destination of 50% of all immigrants to the US, including illegals. Our hospitals have been facing this assult for decades. The deteriating healthcare provisions in California are as a direct result of illegal immigration.

Hospital stays have been slashed. Services have been cut to the bone. Paying US citizens have lost their quality of healthcare.

[Quiller]

A link to a 1997 GAO report on the welfare costs for benefits given to illegal aliens with U.S. citizen children:

http://www.conginst.org/resultsact/PDF/HE98030.PDF

What? Illegal aliens with U.S. citizen children? How is that POSSIBLE?! Quite simple: If madre gets into a hospital and has the kid on this side of the border, then juniore is, in fact, a U.S. CITIZEN!

What a wonderful country -- medical care at taxpayers' expense AND citizenship for the kid. Doncha just love it?

[DoughtyOne]

Government intercession to provide medicare, over-regulation and insurance/HMOs siphoning off tens if not hundres of billions of healthcare dollars have brought our healthcare industry to it's knees.

Each year tens if not hundreds of billions of healthcare dollars are listed as profits by intermediaries who charge you the highest rates they can get away with, then dictate to healthcare providers how little they'll pay on your behalf.

[autoresponder]

I missed one (1) descriptive word:

Federal

Federal prisons, where parole is "out"

State prison %s are lower

I have heard and read that "over 50%" in federal prisons numerous time over the years

Wish I could put my finger on an instant LEO or federal reference source

Not PC to have that stuff out there

They will never deport all illegal aliens that are in prison

Some now get sent back to Mexico to serve and are out and back here in a heatbeat

Mexico is very tough on Central Americans crossing their south borders illegally

2nd time is almost a death sentence I hear

Mexican prisons and Mexican justice is corrupt and money driven

Bribes paid, extortion by police, wardens, bureaucrats, pols

I am not tops on researching federal stats on the web

Others here on FR are very good at Internet research

I think adult illegal aliens working or collecting in the USA, esp. with counterfeit federal and state IDs should all get 6 months hard labor and a 5 year probation period then deported

Take prints and eye-scans; any that re-enter the USA get automatically back into a hard labor prison farm with max security

Tattoes and chips under their skin

I do not care about Amnesty International, ACLU, NAACP, MECHcA, AZTLAN, UN, etc.

I see massive vigilante action by US citizens soon

They are the enemy

[endthematrix]

"Enough already!!! If illegal aliens receive hospital care and they don't pay up, deport them and send Mexican President Vicente Fox the bill."

That's some of the best policy I've read yet! I love the FReeper braintrust! I thought there is a "don't ask" policy for hospitals. No?

[Mo1]

I think it's totally unfair. Why should reporting to INS be based on paying a bill?
They should be reporting to INS regardless of the bill.

I agree ..

Not sure how it is in other parts of the country .. but up here in Philly, the Mayor sent a memo out to all city departments that they are not to turn in illegals into the INS

[endthematrix]

"Under federal law, hospitals cannot ask about a patient's income or immigration status, and they cannot turn away anyone seeking medical help. Arrrg! So frustrated, I had to post before reading the WHOLE story.

[autoresponder]

I never knowingly post a fake stat

That was from a credible LEO sorce on WABC, wish I could give exact date and time

One correction; "federal" prisons

Compare 11% blacks committing over 50% of violent crimes in the US

DC with a 59+/100,000 murder rate

USA with a 5/100,000 murder rate

SOURCE: Clinton-Reno-Freeh 1999
FBI/DOJ Uniform Crime Report

DC minority male teens 225/100,000 murder rate

That last one compares to UN stats on El Salvador and Rowanda

THe bad stats are killed by PC bureaucrats

Try to find violent crime stats from FBI-DOJ on Puerto Rico

Never available!

[Lazamataz]

I never knowingly post a fake stat

But you might accidently.

That was from a credible LEO sorce on WABC, wish I could give exact date and time. One correction; "federal" prisons.

Then I must reject your statistic. Hearsay from some uncitable source is not an acceptable citation. Who knows where this guy/gal got his stat from?

The balance of your statistics speaks to minorities, not immigrants, legal or otherwise.

[Lazamataz]

Tattoes and chips under their skin

No. Never. Not for any person. Not for any reason.

[banjo joe]

'...revoke the policy, saying it was "immoral" and "unethical."'

So being required to pay your bills is immoral and unethical.

This is the moral character of our new "citizens" then. Beware if you are a business person or service provider.

[muawiyah]

Ambulances are leaving every hour.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If illegal aliens receive hospital care and they don't pay up, deport them and send Mexican President Vicente Fox the bill.

Why the US doesn't have already some kind of treaty with Mexico to cover this kind of situation is beyond me. If an American got sick in Mexico and had to have emergency treatment, I'm pretty sure Mexico wouldn't cut them much slack until they got a promise from the US Consulate that the bill would get covered.

[ExSafecracker]

This is the hospital that We took our son to after being told on the phone by his doctor that he had leukemia.
It kinda goes without saying that nothing that can happen to you could ever be as devastating as having the life of one of your kids in that kind of jeopardy. My son had an extremely bad case of lymphoblastic leukemia and by all rights should not have lived more than a couple of days. The staff at UMC as much as told us he probably would not make it thru the night.
Back then UMC had probably the best ped. cancer center in the southwest. I worked for a major national company and had the best health coverage you could get. The insurer promptly declared this as a catastrophic illness and agreed to pay 100% of everything.
Against all odds Dr. John Hutter and all those angels on his staff and in the Ped.I.C.U. saved my sons life and with God's help we were allowed to keep Keith for a while longer.
For more than 2 years we were at that hospital almost more than we were home.
Our hospital tab was somewhere around the 1/2 million dollar mark.
It was public knowledge (stated in the press by the UMC president) that people who paid for their care would have to be overcharged to cover the costs of those who did not pay. My carrier was very good about paying for our care, but they only pay a reasonable amount for any given procedure and so the hospital began harassing us for the difference. It added a great deal of stress on an already stressful situation.
I watched the situation at that hospital deteriorate due the influx of thousands of Mexican citizens. Tucson is only 60 or so miles from Mexico.
Tucson was one of the few democrat strongholds in that state back then, but those liberals better wake up and see what they are doing to themselves. Southern Arizona without UMC will be a lot worse for the loss.
After the loss of my son, I was forced to file bankruptcy due to the policy of free care for our "neighbors" to the south.

[meyer]

It's a tough way to collect all right.

A better way might be to charge in advance - pay up with cash, credit, or insurance before the service is provided. I suppose that might be a little rough on those that are in really bad shape.

BTW, do they not have hospitals in Mexico?

[MinuteGal]

Where does it say in the Constitution that free medical care is a "basic human RIGHT"?

Oh, the Constitution.....what's that?

Leni

[autoresponder]

Tough

Your problem, not mine

[Lazamataz]

Tough Your problem, not mine

No, it is your problem. People who offer a "fact", then cannot cite a source, are discredited.

Enjoy your discredation. I, personally, will now view your presented "facts" with much more skepticism, and I imagine many people in the forum would feel the same.

[RKV]

"A quarter of all federal prisoners today are non-citizens" http://www.house.gov/judiciary/106-17.htm And that my friends, is how you use a search engine to check a fact. Use google early and often, it is your friend. Maybe use if before you post.

[ladylib]

I just spent $1,000 in the emergency room the other night. I don't have a decent medical insurance policy. I paid up by dipping into my savings.

These Mexicans have money. They send it back to their families -- billions of dollars a year.

I have no sympathy. Medical care is not free, especially for illegals.

Watch some federal court agree with them and stop the deportations.

[Lazamataz]

"A quarter of all federal prisoners today are non-citizens" http://www.house.gov/judiciary/106-17.htm And that my friends, is how you use a search engine to check a fact. Use google early and often, it is your friend. Maybe use if before you post.

Thanks, RKV. So autoresponder was elocuting from his anal cavity. I knew 50% was way too high. 25% is still sizable, but it is a lot more believable.

[TexasTransplant]

I am strongly against this outrageous hospital policy. It is completely wrong.

The hospital should report the illegals whether or not they pay.

Hospitals have just got to transport to INS that can in turn Medivac to the nearest Hospital of the Illegals Country of Origin or if that is not possible, Guantanemo to stabilize patient and have the Country of Origin Government retrieve the criminal.

 

[Amelia]

Guadalupe Castillo, a Tucson immigrant advocate, called on UMC to revoke the policy, saying it was "immoral" and "unethical." "It is the right of all human beings to receive medical care regardless of their citizenship," she said.

And it's the responsibility of all who recieve a service to arrange to pay for it. Rights come with matching responsibilities.

I suppose Ms. Castillo thinks the doctors and nurses donate their time?

[TexasTransplant]

A better way might be to charge in advance - pay up with cash, credit, or insurance before the service is provided. I suppose that might be a little rough on those that are in really bad shape.

Hospitals do that now, the Wife had Kidney Stones,

Do you have Insurance? If yes,  we need $10,000.00 Down and we will file for you with your Insurance Company.

If no, Would you like to make payments?

If yes, We need $10,000.00 down and we will Bill you for the Balance of $10,000.00

If you have no Insurance and you do not wish to make payments would you like to pay for everything up front (Yes they will do that!) We need $10,000.00 before we can start.

We found that paying up front for the Turn-key job to be our path of least resistance, and now in a two income family, one income goes to Health Insurance and the other to State and Federal Tax, I understand the folks in DC would like to streamline this for us and just cut out the Health Insurance middleman, we can just send everything to DC