Question

Claire is a 67-year old Haitian woman who was “granny dumped” at a suburban Philadelphia hospital. Her family refused to have any contact with Claire or the hospital, stating that they cannot care for her due to her mental problems. Claire cannot prove her citizenship, although she did work when she first came to the U.S. in the 1980s. Her mental health issues prevent her from being able to live in the community. Since she is not a citizen, she cannot apply for Medicaid or Medicare. Since she is not eligible for health insurance, she cannot be placed in a health care facility. What can the hospital do? Should changes be made to the current health policies to allow some provision for undocumented immigrants? What are the ramifications if non-citizens are granted health care benefits?

Answer 1

Here, in this case, the hospital itself can take her expenses and provide necessary treatments to her. Otherwise, they can seek help from an old age home to sponsor her. The current health policies are not at all helping the undocumented immigrants. So there should be some changes or updates regarding this matter. But there are some consequences of providing more benefits to immigrants. Here, in this case, the benefits that are provided to the citizens would be reduced or the government has to find out separate fund for immigrant health policies.