Given such trends, ACP is calling for the a health care immigration policy on health care to include:

A national policy to cover this issue, as individual state laws result in a patchwork system inadequate to address this complex problem.

The idea that taxpayers should not subsidize health insurance coverage for illegal immigrants, while people should not be prevented from paying out-of-pocket for health insurance based on immigration status.

The same access to health coverage and government-subsidized health care for U.S.-born children of parents who lack legal residency as any other U.S. citizen.

Acknowledgement of public health risks associated with undocumented persons not receiving medical care due to concerns about criminal or civil prosecution or deportation.

Federal government support for safety-net health care facilities and offsets for costs of uncompensated care provided by these facilities.

Acknowledgement that health care professionals have an ethical and professional obligation to care for the sick; immigration policy should not interfere with the ethical obligation to provide care for all.

Policies that do not foster discrimination against a class or category of patients in the provision of health care.

Better control by the U.S. concerning who is admitted, and to differentiate its treatment of those who comply with the law in establishing legal residency from those who do not.

The understanding that any policy forcing undocumented residents to return to their countries of origin could result in severe health consequences for affected persons and their family members. This, in turn, could create a public health emergency resulting in enormous costs to the health care system, including costs associated with correctional health care during periods of detention.

"Any national immigration policy will need to balance the legitimate needs and concerns to control our borders and to equitably differentiate in publicly-supported services for those who fully comply with immigration laws and those who do not," Dr. Ralston acknowledged in his statement.

Instant Insights /

ACP: Nat'l policy must address immigration

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