As I was looking through the Chicago Tribune a story came up about a woman who came to the U.S. from Mexico illegally. She used someone else’s identification to access health care. She had cervical cancer and did not have medical insurance in Mexico. When she came to Chicago she got three rounds of chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Medical Center, costing $530,000 in care. The argument that she made was that she did not put anyone in danger and was only doing it so she wouldn’t be in pain anymore.
This raises the question, is she a criminal? Although identity theft and fraud are crimes, is there also a moral question of the entitlement to medical care? Should everyone be entitled to health care and insurance, no matter what the cost? This is a major question within U.S. citizens, so should the people who are here illegally be treated?
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I also read this story yesterday. My thoughts on the issue are this: theft is theft no matter who does it. And the fact that she is an illegal immigrant who went and used the US healthcare system when she doesn't even pay for it and thinks that she can get away with it isn't ok for me. If she needs treatment and is a Mexican citizen, then maybe she could go back to Mexico for treatment. I understand that there aren't always the best treatments available to everyone, however, she should not have exploited the healthcare system that the United States has and that our citizens pay for! She was wrong and even though she may be sick and may be dying, she should still be prosecuted for her crimes.
Do you really think she deserves to be prosecuted? Her actions aren't setting a great example though now that she is in our country we are somewhat obligated to treat her. This issue really boils down to border control. She probably should have stayed in Mexico.
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