Medical Malpractice - Do you think hospitals should have the right to ask for proof of citizenship before treatment is given?

Do you think hospitals should have the right to ask for proof of citizenship before treatment is given?

Why should someone who is here illegally be given free medical services at hospitals but natural born citizens are not? Illegals are given better medical treatment than our own veterans at veteran's hospitals across the country who have poor services. They are not getting the treatment they should be getting. Why is this? And what should be done to stop illegals from receiving the medical care our own citizens should be receiving instead? I know a lot of you will say it's inhumane for hospitals to turn anyone away but shouldn't these services be reserved for the legal citizens of this country? The ones who really need it, not a lady who is giving birth - a pregnancy that could have been prevented in the first place by using birth control?

Public Comments

As someone who this has happened to I thank you for caring. I too get tired of people whining about catering to the poor third world while creating those very conditions for our own citizens. I still think everyone should get emergency care, whether citizen, or tourist, or immigrant or illegal. If they are foreign, they should be flown or ambulanced home, depending on where they are, so they can get follow up care in their own country. I wouldn't expect any less of them in regards to our tourists or guest workers in other countries.
I agree.... Funny as a LEGAL TAXPAYING CITIZEN I pay over $200 a month in health insurance that my family very rarely uses...but if I were illegally here...it would be free!! EDIT TO ADD---- They should NOT treat those illegally here in the ER for NON emergencies...
The Hypocrites Oath, or whatever Dr. takes and swears to says they are supposed to aid and help any that need treatment. Need and want are oceans apart. If a person needs a stick removed from there eyeball, that is what Dr.s do. Dr.s treat the sick. That is what they do. If a Dr. does not want to help people that need the help, the Dr. can get out of the way of a Dr. that does have honor. Even Nazis get health care. Go figure that one out.
Yes, I agree. It is appalling that some of our own citizens cannot receive health care in this country. Shame on Yahoo for deleting your question! Have they joined forces with the Politically Correct Police?
Yes, I definitely think proof of legal residency or legal tourist or whatever should be asked for. Illegal immigrants should get only emergency care and then immediately deported.
your right. Americans don't get the treatment they need and the illegals do. yes i think they should be asked for proof of citizenship. if they can't produce a legal Green card then no service. and the whole world needs to be educated on birth control.
Absolutely not. Look at places like NYC. Very wealthy, and does not limit health services for its citizens and undocumented people (plus it has the best health care in the nation).
prove that.don't ask just because you heard from many people said that.
I do agree that proof of legal presence should be asked for. Emergency service should be given, but then the person should be deported if not legally here. Schools should 'card' too. The court said we had to educate but I don't remember it saying we couldn't ask - and then act on the information. Our schools and hospitals are failing our own people, and our people have to come first.
yes I do. However that does not mean they should not be treated if it's an emergency, including labor. After treatment though, if they are not legally here they should then be deported.
its the Law lady. Any & every hospital cannot reject services to a person who has a life or death emergency situation. however, ppl (illegal) cannot receive free ongoing treatment such as dialysis or chemotherapy which take several treatments. they have to pay out of pocket for those services.