Posted on 06/02/2010 4:19:24 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
(Reuters) - Arizona's controversial new law cracking down on illegal immigration could put doctors into a pickle, an Arizona physician said in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine Wednesday.
Dr. Lucas Restrepo of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix said because it specifies that anyone who "harbors" an illegal immigrant can be fined, it could affect medical personnel.
"The new Arizona state immigration bill signed into law on April 23 will seriously obstruct, if not undermine, the practice of medicine in the state of Arizona," Restrepo wrote.
"One interpretation is that health care providers in Arizona will need to ask for a passport before seeing certain patients," he said.
"This bill threatens one of the oldest traditions of medicine: physicians shall protect patients regardless of nationality or race. This legislation, if unchallenged, will force health care providers to choose between the dignity of their profession and the indignity of violating the law," Restrepo wrote.
Opponents say the law is unconstitutional and will lead to racial profiling of Hispanics, who make up about a third of Arizona's population. Roughly 11 million people are thought to be living in the United States illegally.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
The immigration detention centers have great medical care. I know this because I was hired by the dept to produce a damn video on the subject. They’ll be jusssst fine, believe me.
Ping!
Maybe Restrepo should go practice medicine in Mexico!
Too bad he can’t, he isn’t a mexican citizen!!!!
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