Illegal Immigrants Should Receive Health Care

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Recommended: Immigration and its effects on the economy

America needs comprehensive health care reform, and immigrants should be a part of the movement. But many American citizens might ask that pertinent question: why should they cover the expense for illegal immigrants to access health care? The answer is plain and simple: until congress passes immigration laws that work, people are going to migrant here illegally. And to deny migrants access to affordable health care, Americans are not only denying them their human right, they are also putting individual and national health at risk. I believe that this country – which has the medical advancements and the facilities to ensure the health of its citizens – should reach out to its non-citizens, legal and illegal, until it passes laws that improve conditions, increase pay and thus prevent disease more effectively-- or until undocumented workers are prevented from residing here altogether. Most people believe that illegal immigrants are a strain on the American economy. That is, that they oftentimes live off the system yet do not contribute funds. This is a common misconception, though the extent to which the American economy might benefit, if it does at all, is debatable. Immigrants do, in fact, pay taxes. Though we can only estimate, it is believed that 50 to 60% of undocumented workers have social security and Medicare payments withheld from their paychecks. Oftentimes they do this by using fake social security numbers, so their lack of legal status leaves them paying for benefits that they cannot use (Brulliard B01). And all undocumented workers pay other taxes, such as sales, property and consumption taxes (Brulliard B01). It is debatable, however, whether or not they, as a group, cost more mone... ... middle of paper ... ... 12, No. 23. pp. 521-544. The CQ Researcher. Portland Community College Library, Portland, Oregon. 19 November 2008. . FAIR. “Illegal Immigration and Public Health.” Federation for American Immigration Reform. FAIRUS.org. 19 November 2008. . Navas, Melissa. “Undocumented Worker Ruling Could Rattle Oregon's Economy.” The Oregonian. July 22 2008. OregonLive.com. 14 November 2008. 520.xml& coll=7>. Wolf, Richard. “Rising Health Care Costs Put Focus on Illegal Immigrants.” USA Today. January 21 2008. USATODAY.com. 19 November 2008. .

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