The debate about how to organize healthcare in the USA should not hinge on the minor issue of how it affects immigration. 

A similiar situation occurred in the 1850’s after the Mexican War.  Santa Anna the then President of Mexico offered to sell the USA almost all of what is today Sonora and Baja California.  The US Senate refused because the purchase would have upset the precarious Missouri compromise about slavery.  So unresolved issues about slavery kept the US Senate from growing the nation.  In the same way unresolved issues about immigration may keep us from passing healthcare reform. 

The current healthcare reform debate has spiraled down to name calling about whether the new law will cover “illegal immigrants.”  In this debate, as is often the case, both sides are wrong.  And they are wrong because laws are not the only things that effect how we behave.  What else, other than laws, can effect whether “illegals” can get medical care.  What about common sense, human decency, the Hippocratic Oath, and the equal protection clause of the Constitution.  It doesn’t matter what language is in the bill or not in the bill, in our society we will give medical attention to all who need it.

It doesn’t require a lot of common sense to know that it is wiser to vaccinate all of the children against chicken pox not just some of them.

If someone shows up at an emergency room after a car crash human decency requires that we treat them whether they can pay or where they were born.

The medical professions code of ethics starting with the Hippocratic Oath doesn’t allow discrimination against those needing medical care based on birthplace or ability to pay.

And finally there is that pesky thing: the Constitution. The Supreme Court has ruled in recent years that Texas cannot refuse to teach the children of undocumented workers and that California cannot refuse welfare to immigrants.  It hasn’t even been close.

So my suggestion to those who want healthcare reform is put in language that will purport to deny coverage to “illegal aliens.”  By doing so you will blunt the swords of the opposition and make it easier to pass reform.  The Supreme Court will invoke the equal protection clause and restore coverage and in the interim common sense, human decency and the medical profession will make sure that those in need receive medical treatment. 

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