Posted By

March 14, 2008, 8:18 am
Flag as Inappropriate gbyrd  

  Subject

Are we responsible for illegal immigrants healthcare? 

Recently an illegal immigrant that was being detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Las Angeles, died from cancer after being detained for 11 months.

U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson of Los Angeles just ruled that his family could sue the doctors for allegedly violating his constitutional rights and ask a jury to award punitive damages.

Do you think he should be allowed to sue?
 

March 18, 2008, 4:50 pm
Flag as Inappropriate carybyrd says...

We could make this question tough to answer with all the political pressure about this topic but I believe there is an easy answer.

It is our moral duty to help someone in need. Remember 2 things:

- Good Samaritan law
- What would Jesus do?
 

March 19, 2008, 8:06 am
Flag as Inappropriate Relaxin says...

I don't know that I can agree that this family has the right to sue the doctor. However, I agree witht the previous post, we do have a moral obligation to help.

I can tell you in the real world, people that present to the hospital are treated regardless if they are illegal or not. In fact, if they present to the emergency room the federal law mandates that they are assessed and stabalized. If they come to a not-for profit, religous based hospital, often times they will be treated to the standard of care given to any patient.  

April 4, 2008, 3:09 am
Flag as Inappropriate djproscribe says...

It does a community no good to let people languish with illness. Especially when the illness (not cancer) may be contagious.

Right now, with the way insurance is handled, we are letting all sorts of people go without treatment, whether or not they are citizens/legal immigrants.