[Obsententicab]

The Federal govt mandates that hospitals provide care to everyone who comes in, regardless fo ability to pay, or of citizenship status. But in California, the Fed only pays for less than 2% of that free care hospitals hand out.

And now the Fed is going to stop paying for free care given to children of illegal aliens in California.

Calif hospitals give out $4 BILLION in uncompensated care every year.

More than 60 hospitals have already closed their doors, bankrupt. Looks like more will be following suit soon.

------------------------------------

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_4654692

Hospitals assail denying health insurance to kids

by Nikki Cobb, Staff Writer
11/ 14/2006 12:00:00 AM PST

Babies born to illegal-immigrant parents will no longer automatically be enrolled in MediCal under a new federal policy, alarming local hospitals and public-health advocates.

Hospital officials are decrying the new policy, announced late last week. They say it places even more of a burden on hospitals already struggling to care for the uninsured. They're waiting to see what the state policy says when Sacramento officials finish it.

"All it means for hospitals is that we will have more uncompensated care," said Jaynie Boren, spokeswoman for San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland. "We don't turn anybody away, so this overall affects the system while adding more uncompensated care."

Hospitals by law must treat anyone who walks through their doors - regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Officials say youngsters without insurance will receive fewer vaccines and preventive care, and so will end up in the emergency room, where care is more costly.

Jim Lott, executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California, said California hospitals already provide $4 billion in uncompensated care each year. The federal government, which mandates the provision of care to all, has not been much help, he said, having given California's hospitals $71 million in 2005.

Tobey Robertson, spokeswoman for Community Hospital of San Bernardino, called the current situation "a crisis" and said she fears the new policy will make things even worse.

"This just adds to the ranks of the uninsured," Robertson said. "It's certain that the more people who are uninsured, the more the hospital is hurt."

Lott said the federal government is imposing onerous requirements on hospitals without helping to pay for them.

"This is the same government that also requires hospitals to provide emergency care to anyone regardless of immigration or legal status," Lott said. "They're dealing with one problem while creating another."

He said emergency-room care for an acute or chronic problem costs four to five times as much as if the patient had been treated sooner in a doctor's office.

Sherreta Lane, vice president of reimbursement and economic analysis for the California Hospital Association, said parents can still apply for MediCal, after proving the child's citizenship.

But parents in the country illegally may be reluctant to deal with the government, Lane said. And when they do, the paperwork is an extra administrative hurdle, she said. It carries costs every step of the way.


(Full text of the article can be read at the above URL)

[OlegSan]

So the government's law says hospitals must treat anyone who walks through the doors but they won't fund that law. What should the hospital do? Break the law and be held accountable? Or just shut down and go out of business. Hmmmm I kinda think we need hospitals to stay open. What do you think?

[VQdeochratis]

So the government's law says hospitals must treat anyone who walks through the doors but they won't fund that law. What should the hospital do? Break the law and be held accountable? Or just shut down and go out of business. Hmmmm I kinda think we need hospitals to stay open. What do you think?

Naw, people who get sick are obviously weak and should die.

[twinaircant]

Thanks for the cup of social darwinism Acorn.

It seems that the value of human life has depreciated lower than the value of a dollar.

Ah yes, capitalism at its finest.

[Pyuvjzwf]

How about we let the Hospitals stay open by sending Mexico a bill for their citizens who come here illegally and abuse our system of health care? Is that such a bad idea? Hmmm? Otherwise, let the hosipals shut down and when real Americans are denied the critical care that they deserve, and maybe die, then maybe people will wake up and put a stop to this bullhockey and start taking matters into their own hands since Uncle Sam is stuck on politically correctness.

Screw the illegals period. They are ruining this country and you lemmings are worried about their health?

You can't be serious can you?

Sigh....well, don't worry, Higlebeast P.I.A.P.S. (Pig In A Pants Suit) Clinton announced today that her Socialist Medicine idea is back on the table so we can all look forward to going to like China for immediate surgery as the long lines of illegals and legal Americans needing immediate medical care will leave you either very dead, or boarding a plane.

[glopomcyte]

To all indignated about the Govt not willing to fund this law: I wonder, if you express this indignance over the government not enforcing this , do you have the same indignance over them not enforcing the current laws on employers and sending illegals back to their country of origin?

[pokerbonuscod]

OMG you mean that the parents will have to sign their child up for the free insurance - and prove they are eligible?

How terrible!

Matt

[hansen384cbh]

Two rules:
1 there is a price for everything
2 life is not fair

Doesn't that sound callous? But it's true. It is not my fault that life sucks for some people - it may not be their fault either and the truth is, it doesn't matter.
These folks come here not because they love the US but because it is a better deal financially than Mexico. Simple economics. I don't pity them, I don't hate them, they're just people doing what people do.
If this system isn't working, the solution is to change the equation - make it better sense to stay in Mexico.
None of this has to be personal.

You can't complain about rising costs and simultaneously complain about illegal labor and you can't afford both.

How about we just enter into a consulting/managing agreement with Mexico?

[EasyLOAD]

Fair statement JHC.

Mexicans are indeed doing what any of us here would do..you live in shambles - and just over the horizon life is infinitely better...who in their right mind wouldn't make the trip? I would.

The corrupt and inept Mexican government is the problem. Mile for mile there are more natural resources in Mexico than a large % of America...yet they do not exploit it, why? Because it would cost billions to begin the work in the short-term..even though the long-term value of mining their resources would change Mexico's economy for generations...the Mexican government is ONLY interested in how they can profit, not the country.

[Virosponna]

Cheers to JHC and Iamwhatiseem.

While I feel for the children, the fact is is that we cannot continue down this road….It is time to repair that road and eliminate all of the cracks and pot holes.