No transplant for dying dad who is illegal immigrant

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 01/30/2012 | By Hannah Dreier Contra Costa Times

[moonshinner_09]

Without a new kidney, Jesus Navarro will die.

Although the Oakland man has a willing donor and private insurance to pay for the transplant, he faces an additional hurdle in the race to save his life: He is an illegal immigrant.

That fact prompted administrators at UC San Francisco Medical Center to refuse to transplant a kidney from Navarro's wife because they cannot be sure he will receive adequate follow-up care.

Their decision taps into the tension between health care and immigration policies in the state and the role medical professionals should play in trying to save the lives of undocumented residents.

Though no data are available, anecdotal evidence suggests clinics sometimes perform the transplants on illegal immigrants, especially when the patients are young. In one high-profile case, UCLA Medical Center gave an undocumened woman three liver transplants before she turned 21.

Administrators also reject patients because of their immigration status, though these patients tend to lack insurance. Bellevue Hospital in New York attracted attention last year when it refused to transplant a kidney between brothers because they could not pay for the operation.

Navarro's supporters say they are not asking a hospital to donate care or seeking to take an organ from a legal resident in need. But as an illegal immigrant, the 35-year-old father is ineligible for billions of dollars the federal government sets aside annually to treat patients like him.

Should he lose his private insurance or be deported, his donated kidney could go to waste.

[okie01]

I know heart/lung machines they put you on for heart or lung or both transplants gradually destroy red blood cells but I thought you could live on dialysis forever with a shunt on your arm?

I've done it for seven years...and I know people in their eighties who have done it for over thirty.

People who opt for a transplant often stay on dialysis for several years before a match turns up.

[Isabel C.]

"...UCLA Medical Center gave an undocumented woman three liver transplants before she turned 21."

An undocumented woman? I think doctors could tell she was a woman just by looking at her. Why does somebody have to officially document this fact?

[mamelukesabre]

You aint no dummy. The hospital is pulling a stunt. They are trying to gin up public sympathy for increased funding for illegals.

[Lx]

I'm sorry to hear of your problem and wish you the best of luck (and health), are you in line for a kidney and do you know the place in line?

Is there some reason that this person will die if he doesn't get a kidney now or is that just a way a Doctor can get their patient to the head of the line which sounds extremely unfair not to mention unethical?

I've read that with heart transplants, that if they don't also do a vagus nerve transplant, their hearts will idle at 100 BPM no matter what. Is there something similar with kidneys?

Good luck and speaking as someone who has had numerous major surgeries, I also hope you have now and in the future, get the best care.

[okie01]

You're very kind.

I'm doing just fine.

I chose not to apply for a transplant on the theory that there's no point buying new parts for a '78 Buick up on blocks and leaking oil. I'm 72, let a younger person profit from the transplant.

In the meantime, dialysis is a very benign experience for me. Three days a week, I show up at 5:30 AM, sleep for 3 1/2 hours, and leave at nine. I watch my diet and fluid intake and don't have a problem with excess weight. Other people seem to struggle with the process...and I really can't understand why.

I'm unaware of a condition that would require a transplant -- and could not be relieved by dialysis.

Best to you, as well.

[ReagansShinyHair]

Oooo, too bad he’s not Cuban, I heard they have awesome health care for everyone there. /sarc

[newzjunkey]

I know it was all the rage here to attack Perry for years ago uttering the words "binational health insurance" (Sanctimonious Santorum, I'm looking at you) but under that concept the national health care system of the man's country of origin would be footing the bill.

[Bob]

Many people come from other countries to the US for surgery.

But they're coming here legally for those surgeries.

[Moonman62]

But he isn't asking for anyone's billions of dollars. He is insured. His wife is providing the kidney.

The problem is paying for aftercare. My guess is he's paying for COBRA since he lost his job, and likely won't be able to keep paying for it. Another issue is end stage renal disease gets a special exception and is covered by Medicare regardless of age, but I guess one needs to be a citizen.

And like to see one of the rich political families that encourage illegal aliens to step up and guarantee the medical bill. Farmers, carpet mills, and chicken processing plants could also chip in.

One reason America can still barely afford to help people in need is that the majority of real Americans won't tolerate third world crap. It's too bad most politicians don't see it that way, too.

[A_perfect_lady]

But do hospitals check whether they are legal, even if they can pay? Schools certainly don’t, and that’s tax payer money.

[Ditter]

“His donated kidney will go to waste”????? No it won’t, his wife is using it!