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U of IL hospital sending back Mexican immigrant

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Francisco Pantaleon
University Of Illinois Medical Center At Chicago
universal coverage
Illegal Immigrants
health costs

Recently, we ran an article which stirred up some serious discussion on the subject of how to pay for the care of undocumented, medically-indigent immigrants, and how to handle things when a provider feels they can no longer foot the bill. The article detailed the practice, engaged in by some U.S. hospitals, of sending uninsured immigrants with costly, long-term medical needs back to their home countries--sometimes without the immigrant's permission.

Now, an Illinois case has come up which brings this practice into the spotlight. In this case, the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago is planning to return a 30-year-old Mexican man in a coma back to his home country over the objects of two of his family members. Francisco Pantaleon, who suffered a severe brain hemorrhage in mid-July, has lived in the U.S. for 11 years and has two children. After treating him for a while, UIMC plans to transfer Pantaleon to a hospital in Acapulco at its own expense. Though the facility has the consent of his immediate family to transfer the comatose man, his sister and cousin have hired lawyers to stop the transfer, saying that he won't survive the trip, or that if he does, he won't get adequate care in Mexico.

With large numbers of undocumented, uninsured immigrants doing physically dangerous jobs in this country, expect to see this issue arise more frequently. Short of a sudden switch to universal coverage or single-payer system, which presumably would make allowances for this situation, the issue's not going away anytime soon.

To learn more about this debate:
- read this Chicago Tribune piece
- read the Editor's Corner from FierceHealthFinance

Related Articles:
Hospitals deporting uninsured immigrants
Debate continues on illegal immigrant health costs
Study: Less illegal immigrants use health system than thought
Payments to help hospitals pay for immigrant care
TX county grapples with care for illegal immigrants

Comments

Pantaleon has been provided stabilizing treatment and it is proper for him to be returned back to his home town in Mexico. As far as the sister and cousin, they really have no say if his immediate family, (which I am assuming is mom, dad, or wife) has made that decision to send him back. When are we going to wake up and realize that we (U.S.) cannot even cover many Americans healthcare and that the University of Illinios Medical Center has gone above and beyond what they should have.

WAKE UP America!! Our health care for it's citizens is skyrocketing and we are having enough problems paying for our own healthcare and now we have to spend Millions on the care of illegals too. This man was given good care and his condition stabilized... The hospital won't even keep a U.S. citizen in their facility once they are stable if they are in need of long term care. this man SHOULD go back to Mexico for his long term care.. WHY should the taxpayers of this country foot his bill???!!!! I'm so tired of these pro-illegal groups going after the American Citizens when they don't like something. These people are here illegally... Let LULAC pay for the care of this man if they want him to stay in the states... the hospital went above the call and treated this man and is willing to pay for his transfer to the long care facility in Mexico... Sorry... Send him back to Mexico...let his country foot the bill...
Our healthcare system is going to crash if this type thing continues to go on in this country.

First of all Dennis, writing in capital letters and using 4 letter words to express yourself is indicative of a weak communicator. If your message is not strong enough without the expletives, it does not need to be said or heard. You lost all credibility by responding the way you did. Next. Give your address to the Chicago hospital who graciously provided their nurses, doctors, equipment and facility to save your friend's life to begin with. Dennis, everyone has a friend or family member who has been challenged by life but that doesn't mean someone else should foot the bill. Being an American is being self reliant. We may ask our neighbors for a hand up but not a hand out. The cultural values of your friend are Mexican values. If Mexican's value what Americans have let them fight for it in their own country. Don't become a burden to Americans because you don't have the guts to make changes in your own country. So Dennis, if you are willing to pay the bill for your friends health care, step right up. I'm sure the hospital will be most grateful to accept your contribution to his account.

Let him stay at the expense of his family and his lawyer, James Geraghty. I doubt if their compassion would rise to the level of their pocketbook. Now that Obama has been elected, I'm afraid our country is doomed to this constant barrage of society being responsible for everyone rather than individual responsibilities.

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