I got this from a Freeper today...Can you help me with it?

[whathehell]

I responded to a Texan who, in talking about the Arizona shootings said this:

"We need to do more for the mentally ill".

When I agreed, but said that it wasn't likely to happen in Arizona, given that Gov. Brewer

had already cut people needing organ transplants off the rolls, she sent this:

"The Federal government has dumped these problems on the states to pay for, yet they require that even illegal aliens get medical care. The border states are bogged down with it".


I'm not in a border state and I could use your help in responding..thanks:hi:

[SoCalDem]

1. delete & block

:)

[w8liftinglady]

2. Tell him that of the 6.8 mil adults and 1.8 mil kids in Tx who are uninsured

89% are "documented"
79% hold full-time jobs
1 in 4 makes over 200% of the poverty level.
This does NOT count "welfare" or medicare
you can use the CDC and the Kaiser family Foundation for resources.

[whathehell]

4. Thanks very much, w8liftinglady..n/t

[Uben]

3. I'm a Texan, and.......

....there is a lot of truth in what the guy says. Illegal aliens account for over $50 million dollars in indigent care in Dallas hospitals alone.

So, I would let that sleeping dog lie. We treat illegal aliens because it is the humane thing to do. It is a tremendous burden on border states. There is room for argument, but this is not a hill you want to die on. Just agree that it is a burden on border states and we need to figure out a way to lessen that burden. Everything doesn't have to be a fight.

[Brickbat]

5. Reagan was the one who dumped the problems on the state.

He killed the Mental Health and Institutions act, which killed all the block grants and moved funding to the states.

[FSogol]

8. +1 n/t

[whathehell]

14. I thought that was the case, but wasn't sure..

Thanks for the specific info..I'll google it and send her the link.

[blondeatlast]

6. Edit--I was incorrect on both counts. Coffee, need coffee! nt

[whathehell]

7. I thought Brewer accepted Stimulus money...or is this another issue?

[littlewolf]

11. Not sure about fed laws but most states

have laws that EVERYONE is ER must be seen .....

[JoePhilly]

9. Ask her why this isn't a state's right issue for her.

If she doesn't want the federal government involved in HEALTH CARE, then that position should also INCLUDE Mental Health care.

[realisticphish]

10. It has zero to do with immigrants

it has everything to do with America's (and most of the west's) terrible approach to mental health. If it is even covered by insurance, it tends to be two or three therapy sessions a year, or something ridiculous like that.

Add in the social stigma attached to mental health, and getting therapy, and it creates an environment where few can get adequate care. People who seek mental health advice are either "crazy," or are narcissistic yuppies, in the eyes of our culture.

[GoCubsGo]

12. Ask her to prove the assertion.

Just say, "Show me where they require it. Put up or shut up." And, then remind her that is was her beloved St. Reagan who cut off the funding for treating the mentally ill, and dumping that and other responsibilities on the states:

http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-06-09/business/17430568_1_deficits-billion-defense-spending

[whathehell]

13. Good idea..

and thanks, GoCubsGo, for the link.

[Ikonoklast]

18. That is good advice, above.

"Those that assert, must first prove."

Never take these people at face value, make them back up their claims with actual facts.

If they can't, you can dismiss what they assert as a fabrication, and move on.

[pipoman]

15. If we stopped throwing good money after bad

on the failure known as "the war on drugs" and spent that money on addiction and mental health care services and facilities we would all be much better for it.

[NC_Nurse]

16. Excellent point. +1

[seabeyond]

17. tell her if she is a true repug, she would expect the state to deal with it, and not want fed to

take on responsibility and of course not the fed demanding..... i believe it is hospital procedure that have to

[zbdent]

19. "require that even illegal aliens get medical care" ... isn't that

where emergency rooms are not allowed to turn away patients because they can't pay their bills?

Imagine if a RWer walked into an ER after being mugged, with his wallet stolen, and bleeding profusely, and the ER said "Sorry, we can't treat you, because you can't prove you're an American citizen and you don't have cash ..."

[whathehell]

21. I've found no law that requires illegal aliens get medical care either

and as far as emergency rooms go, I don't know that it's a "law" but just a humane response on the part of the hospital and the physicians.

Here is a link to Consumer Report article, of all things, which refutes the "myth that will not die".

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/08/health-care-for-illegal-immigrants-the-myth-that-will-not-die-health-reform-myths-about-immigrants-.html

[sarge43]

20. Re medical treatment for illegal aliens

You might point out that infectious diseases are indifferent to citizenship status or would she prefer these diseases be allowed to spread. And don't let her get away with the non-seq that the illegals shouldn't be here. Don't let her divert as she already has.

[whathehell]

22. Good point. n/t

[SmileyRose]

23. Look up EMTALA

They wanted the government out of our health care. Why are they bitching now?

Tell the freep to look up COBRA and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

Obviously your freep wants to go back to the days of patient dumping.

[Xenotime]

24. He just doesn't want his guns taken away.