Texas Hospital May Turn Away Indigent Illegals Seeking Cancer Care

Their Patients Acceptance Committee has been considering the move for several months, seeking cost reductions.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston set aside $12 million out of a $1.4 billion budget to treat indigents suffering from cancer. Still facing shortfalls, they are weighing alternatives, one of which is to turn away illegal immigrants seeking care.

The problem, according to Dr. Howard Brody, is "how do we find a way to get Texans to step up"?

Unless Texans address the overall problems of the uninsured and funding for public hospitals, cash-strapped institutions must begin drawing lines, said Dr. Howard Brody, director of the Institute for the Medical Humanities and chair of the medical branch's ethics committee.

"If they want indigent folks to get care and want everybody in Texas to at least have a chance to have more access to medical care, then voters of Texas should step up and provide more resources," Brody said.

Yep, that's the problem Dr. The voters of Texas are very concerned about this and want to solve this problem pronto. It's a local story now, although I'll be surprised if it doesn't get some national attention, it's so, punchy.

We seem to be hell bent in this country for some sort of nationalized health care. Can't wait.

posted by Dave In Texas at 11:32 AM

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