The movement toward health care reform specifically eliminates any illegal or undocumented immigrant from coverage, and this is one of the most politically incendiary principles brought up by opponents of any legislation.
President Obama has also made it clear that no such illegals will be covered, and no one is openly willing to face the issue that presents itself daily. What is to be done if an illegal or undocumented alien is taken ill or injured in an accident?
Are we to refuse medical treatment and let such an individual die? Are we to turn our backs on such people, and treat them as less significant than a pet?
This is the quandary we are in. The fact that someone is illegal is a major problem, but can we just dump such people on the street and let them die, particularly when many of the illegals are young people? If denial of care is seen as desirable, what if such a person has a communicable disease?
This is an issue that torments people of religious faith, and anyone who believes in human decency and dignity. The cost of such care is estimated to be about one billion dollars. Are we to allow money to take away our responsibility to fellow human beings, even if they are “illegal”?
This is a question of conscience, not easily addressed or answered!