Senator Max Baucus, D-Insurance

One of the major sticking points in the Senate committees when debating health “insurance” reform appears to be the coverage of undocumented persons. I live in south Florida, and I have only to glance at my property tax assessment to realize what a costly proposition this is: it is estimated that roughly 2 of each 5 of the uninsured is also undocumented, and the portion of county taxes allocated to the hospital district are glaringly reflective of this fact.

An attorney friend has shared that this never had to be – there are laws which permit the various agribusinesses to bring in seasonal workers legally, subject to public health clearances of both the workers and the housing provided for them. Sadly, it is much more cost effective to permit them to hazard the trip here on their own, paying large sums to the coyotes who guide them across our borders, shelter them in the meanest of shacks, and subrogate their health care to the local property owners. This grim practice was more and more utilized during the previous administration, ‘cuz “bidniss is bidniss”, don’tcha know?

For a period of time, the large public hospital that employed me would request “pappillitos” prior to granting treatment for all but the most emergent situations. Some patients could and did produce them, many could not and left without seeking care. Many of the nurses objected, as we are not Immigration and Customs Officers, and we did not sign on for those chores. However, the county remained firm in this resolve, so the undocumented took their fevers and coughs home with them, and never came for prenatal care.

Within a period of six months, we saw a sharp increase in birth injuries, because mothers delivered at home assisted by local (and unlicensed) midwives armed with few drugs, little equipment, and variable talents in their chosen field. Also in that same time frame, we were hit by a memorable outbreak of variant tuberculosis – and a few cases of leprosy – which soon found their way into the general population. Needless to say, it was one hell of a mess, and it was much more costly to fix than had we cared for them properly in the first place. The “pappilitos” request was dropped, and the general care of the patients was restored to some sort of order over a period of time.

Universal health care must therefore be just that. While I am certainly not supporting free breast augmentations for one and all, I am stating that anyone should be able to seek medical care, prenatal care, immunizations and well child care regardless of their immigration status. Not only is it a moral imperative, but a public health one as well.

ACTION ALERT: If you live in the New York City area, come march for Universal Health Care, Medicare for All on Tuesday, September 29th from 4 – 6 pm!

Click here for details.