Was LePage right to suggest immigrants pose a public health threat in Maine?

[jpak]

http://bangordailynews.com/2015/02/08/the-point/was-lepage-right-to-suggest-that-immigrants-pose-a-public-health-threat-in-maine/?ref=inline

AUGUSTA, Maine — The consensus among public health experts regarding Gov. Paul LePage’s comments linking illegal immigrants to the spread of infectious diseases during his State of the State address on Tuesday is that they have seen no data to back up his claims.

Officials from the LePage administration have provided no substantiation for the comments and have not responded since Wednesday to the Bangor Daily News’ requests for data and comment on the matter.

Here’s what the governor said:

“When a refugee comes here from a foreign country, they get a medical assessment, and we know their health. But when they come here illegally, they don’t get medical assessments. And one thing that we don’t want to see is the uptick of hepatitis C, HIV and tuberculosis. But it is here. We are dealing with it. And it is very costly. So if nothing else, they should be getting a medical assessment when they get here.”

The point he was trying to make:

LePage was talking about the prioritization of taxpayer dollars and arguing that public funds shouldn’t be spent on services for people who are in Maine illegally. The comments above were made off the cuff; they were not included in LePage’s prepared speech as it was given to reporters Tuesday and do not appear in the version of the speech posted on LePage’s website.

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More Lies from Lyin' LePage

yup

[Wounded Bear]

1. So he wants them to get medical assessments...

but he doesn't want to pay for them?

Typical RW bullshit.



Hey! I know what to do! Let's implement universal health care.