Doctors: Transplant Teen's Brain Swells

Fox News ^ | 2-21-03 | AP

[deziner]

DURHAM, N.C.

[deziner]

My prayers for this girl! For all those yesterday who were upset about a non-citizen getting a transplant here, check out the last two paragraphs

[Hodar]

I do feel sorry that this child is suffering. We all agree that this is NOT her fault. Her parents are here illegally, and who do you suppose is going to foot the bill for the $2500/month anti-rejection drugs? Now that her operation is done, and the american tax payer has paid the bill, will she and her parents leave the US? What other country in the world offers free medical services to illegal invaders? And, as these organs are not easily replaceable, 2 other US citizens will likely die because of our charity to an illegal alien.

For a different (but still sensitive) view, take a look at Michelle Malkin's article:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20030221.shtml

[deziner]

I have yet to see anywhere that the American taxpayer is paying the bill. I have seen plenty of articles that mention fundraising efforts to pay for her operation. That is an assumption that has yet to be proven.

[deziner]

And yes, America is compassionate - that is what makes us a country that others look up to. The article states that citizens are given priority to transplants. This girl came three years ago - she had to wait a long time.

[Hodar]

...I have yet to see anywhere that the American taxpayer is paying the bill.

Please read the article Michelle Malkin wrote. Illegal aliens are bankrupting the medical communities in New Mexico, Arizona, California and Texas.

The Southeast Medical Center in Douglas, Ariz., is on the verge of bankruptcy because of uncompensated care to undocumented aliens; the Cochise County, Ariz., Health Department, inundated with immigration issues, spends as much as 30 percent of its annual $9 million budget on undocumented aliens; and the University Medical Center in Tucson faces up to $10 million this year "in uncompensated care to foreign nationals."

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020924-8536150.htm

[Hodar]

Clarification.... my first article I posted was by Michelle Malkin; the second is an excerp from Jerry Seper from the Washington times.

[deziner]

I TOTALLY understand that illegal aliens are getting free medical care in those states - and I totally disagree with it happening, too! I'm talking about this specific case. IF an illegal alien can pay for their expenses, should we deny health care? IF a charity funded her, what is the problem? (Other than the fact that she got organs that could have gone to someone else, which is another issue.)

[Hodar]

... that is what makes us a country that others look up to.

Please tell me what country looks up to us. From the hundreds of Billions we give out as grants for our 'allies' economic support, from our free aid in times of disaster, for our food in times of famine, we are the 'Great Satan', the 'Enemy to Freedom', the 'Evil Empire'.

America has become a laughing stock. We stupidly give out money to countries who squander our gifts among the corrupt officials, then forgive the 'loans'. We sacrifice thousands of american lives to fight for their freedom; only to have them denounce us in public. Now, we heal their sick, and sacrifice our own. No one respects a wimp.

[Age of Reason]

Illegal aliens are bankrupting the medical communities

The hospitals assign the cost of treating illegals to general hospital overhead, which is apportioned to the bills of patients with insurance.

Result: Medical insurance skyrockets.

As for me, I'll not donate my organs until I know for sure they go only to Americans--not to illegals or some oil sheik!

[zigzag]

Taxpayers may not be paying the bill for the surgery, but
certainly pick-up the cost of illegal aliens living here.
Are there siblings? Are they enrolled in school? The mother is here illegally, having her daughter's expensive surgery paid for by charity, while Americans wait for organs, then is angry because of a hospital screw-up?
This is galling, but typical of the entitlement mentality.
Some may "look up" to the U.S. for its compassion, but it seems that many more see it as a meal ticket.

[deziner]

We may be a laughing stock - but I'll take religious view on this. Christ was spat on - he was mocked - he continued to be compassionate, loving, and died for those who treated him like scum. There are always those who are evil - and there are some who are good. People are paying big bucks to be smuggled here, why? Because the do realize what a great nation we are. We have freedoms that they don't. Their government may say one thing, but the people may think another. There are those eastern european countries who just signed a letter backing up the US - why?

[Hodar]

IF a charity funded her, what is the problem?

Again please read Michelle Malin's article. The charity funded a PORTION of the costs.

We all know that for the rest of her (short) life, this girl will be on anti-rejection drugs. The organs that are keeping her alive, are not her own; and her body will constantly treat them as an infection. Hence, she will be on anti-rejection drugs.

Anti-rejection drugs, like every other drug, are not natural. Her body will build immunities to these drugs, and she will have to up the dosage, or switch drug types. This is a PERPETUAL cost her family cannot afford. Who will pay for it. In 20 years, she will likely have ran the gautlet of anti-rejection drugs, and will die. Transplants do not cure, they buy time. In her case, she will buy enough time to get married, and have kids; then likely die while they are children; and a mountain of debt.

[Mamzelle]

Likely Duke will donate all services. Originally, funds were raised privately for the operation. I suspect very strongly that those funds would not have covered this, and Duke was financing part of the transplant even before the error. You'd be surprised how often services are donated. Hospitals rarely get any credit for this. And, many hospitals are non-profit and not-for-profit. Would be surprised if Duke is a profit hospital.

However, if Duke is punished in the courts, costs for everyone using Duke will rise. No free lunches. We pay enormous hidden "lawyer taxes." We would also pay some hidden "donation" expenses, but somehow I don't mind that as much.

[Age of Reason]

IF an illegal alien can pay for their expenses, should we deny health care?

Illegal aliens should not be in the country, not to clog our overburdened health care system or for any other reason--THEY ARE ILLEGALS.

[Age of Reason]

why?

Because we are suckers.

[deziner]

Well, if I was in the mother's shoes, I'd be angry too. No one wants to see their daughter dying even if it was paid for by charity. Good point about illegals living here. Yes, I'm sure they probably do go to our school and such. But if they live in any home or even rent an apartment, they pay property taxes, either directly through a mortgage, or indirectly through rent. Property taxes are a big chuck of educational expenses. I'm sure they also pay sales tax on their purchases. Now, do they pay fed income tax? NO. But then again, neither do a bunch of american citizens.

[deziner]

Well duh, they shouldn't be here. But they are. So now what.

[deziner]

I did read the article. Michelle also does a lot of speculation - like whether or not the parents will sue. That has NOT been established.

[Mamzelle]

re: We stupidly give out money to countries who squander our gifts among the corrupt officials, then forgive the 'loans'. We sacrifice thousands of american lives to fight for their freedom; only to have them denounce us in public. Now, we heal their sick, and sacrifice our own. )))

I understand your bitterness, particularly lately when we could use some help from our allies. How many times has the US dropped everything to run to the assistance of flood/famine/earthquake victims? But man is a sinful creature, all men are. We shouldn't be surprised to see it.

It's almost as if the US was like an allegorical Christ to the world.

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

Disagree.

Don't be fooled by propoganda from the popular media. They have an agenda.

If you talk to the people directly you will see that they admire and respect the United States.

If you need hard evidence, just look at the millions of people who would love to live, work and study in the United States.