Illegal Immigrants in the United States left without health care

Whatever you think about Obama’s Heatlh Care Reforms approved by US Congress yesterday, you have to feel for the millions of US illegal immigrants who will be left out in the cold.

Canada has a long and controversial history of universal heath care that covers everyone including temporary residents with study and work permits in Canada.  Obama’s Bill falls short of universality but will include an additional 32 million Americans under its wing. However, those without immigration status, those illegal aliens in the US, will remain without heath coverage. The “illegals” will therefore have to fend for themselves despite the fact that the majority of them contribute to society culturally, socially and economically.

Yes many of them came to the US without the proper paperwork but did so in hopes for a better life. Sounds a lot like many immigrants from Europe who came decades ago. And today, the grandchildren and great grandchildren of those brave “illegals” are now among the leaders of society.

For the record I am not a fan of laws that amount to forced heath care. I do not think people should be forced to buy heath insurance and be fined if they choose not to. Nor do I think insurance companies should be forced to cover people whom the government not the insurers deem worthy. But this is another topic all together.

However, given that the law has passed in the US, Illegal Immigrants in the United States working and contributing to society despite having to look over their shoulders daily are once again excluded. Where there is a need for real reform is in the area of immigration law so that people deserving of immigration status in the US finally get it.