Illegal immigration and increasing health care - & insurance - costs....

Yet another often overlooked consequence of illegal immigration, as put forth by an emergency room doc (found on Jerry Pournelle's blog, Chaos Manor in Perspective.

Subject: Hospital ER Costs
Due to the nature of the volunteer work I do I often spend several hours a weekend in the ER. In my area there are a few illegals, but plenty of people who are using the hospital for routine medical care. While there is some cost for the supplies that I am sure is not trivial, the greater expense is on the people. People who are qualified to work in a trauma center, but are needed to deal with ear infections and babies running a mild fever. People who demand assistance but will never pay a dime of their bill.

Some hospitals have opened "minor emergency" rooms that attempt to deal with these issues. But they require space and the staffing is not that much less money. And of course they have to be careful. If you miss a problem with someone, who for years has neglected their personal health care, and you will face the lawyers.

The result of all of this is trauma centers with gurneys in the hallway and more people arriving. Staff that is overworked, tired and wanting to find another job. Hospitals look at the cash flow, consider the risks from litigation and would rather turn the space over to an orthopedic group to process hip replacements.

.. and the beat goes on ...