Immigrants aren't clogging hospital ERs, study finds

[TomInTib]

So much for that bs..

Immigrants aren't clogging hospital ERs, study finds

By LEE BOWMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
18-JUL-06

A new study counters the impression that communities with lots of uninsured, immigrant or Hispanic residents put a drain on hospital emergency departments.

Instead, the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington reported that such communities generally had lower rates of emergency department use than those with low numbers of uninsured or non-citizen residents.

The center found that emergency department use in 12 nationally representative communities varied considerably in 2002 from the national average of 32 visits per 100 people. Nationwide, visits to emergency rooms increased by 26 percent between 1993 and 2003, to some 114 million a year.

The highest rate was in Cleveland, with 40 visits per 100 people; the lowest was in Orange County, Calif., with a rate of 21 visits per 100 residents.

Yet in Cleveland, 7.9 percent of residents were uninsured at that time, and 3.2 percent were not U.S. citizens; in Orange County, 18.2 percent of the population had no health coverage and 15.6 percent were immigrants who were not citizens.

more:
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=ERUSE-07-18-06

[ovidsen]

1. Don't confuse me with facts! It's not fair!! :) K&R n/t

[bliss_eternal]

2. I've always hated this particular talking point

regarding illegal immigrants. Those that utilize it have a blaming/victim mindset and need scapegoats to explain the misfortune or lack in their lives.

I would like to think that a true progressive wouldn't allow themselves to be swayed by such an argument, but sadly, it never ceases to amaze me how many on the left are swayed by the talking points from the right.

Thanks so much for this great article, Tom! :hi: :thumbsup:

I'm hoping more take the time to read it and share it with the people in their lives to rebuke them when they feel inclined to use this as an argument against illegal immigrants.

[TomInTib]

3. I was thinking about posting this again tomorrow.

Being from a border state and having spent a ood amount of time in ERs (I have coached baseball at several levels), I have always known that talking point was pure crap.

[bliss_eternal]

4. Good idea...

(to post again tomorrow)...! It is pure crap. I suspect that those on this board that utilize this particularly point are either ignoring this post or not present to see it.

:hi:

[TomInTib]

5. Hey, bliss_...

That is one of the problems (maybe the only one) about being on the West Coast - the time zone thing.

I will post it again for the Easties.

This is an important study.

[bliss_eternal]

6. Hey Tom--

I deleted my post and sent it in pm form instead. So, you've got mail. :hi:

[depakid]

7. ER's are having serious problems

But the immigrant population has very little to do with them.

About a month ago, the Institute of Medicine released three reports on the issues, in case anyone's interested in what really going on:

Hospital-Based Emergency Care: At the Breaking Point

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/16107/35007.aspx

Emergency Medical Services At the Crossroads

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/16107/35010.aspx

Emergency Care for Children: Growing Pains

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/16107/35002.aspx