I work.

I pay taxes.

I have a chronically ill spouse.

It might be nice to have the government pay for my wife's health care, but it does not. I pay for insurance through my employer, and I pay the expenses not covered by that insurance. So it really angers me to read stories like this one.

Jose Cedillo, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, says he has nowhere to turn.

A day laborer since 1986, Mr. Cedillo has received notice from a Los Angeles County hospital that he must start paying out of pocket for the treatment he will need. "I have no choice because I have no insurance and can't work while I'm taking these treatments," he says, sitting in the tiny apartment he shares with his wife, a janitor.

The recession – and a big state deficit ­– is leading some California counties to cut back on nonemergency health services to illegal immigrants. In others, cutbacks in services for the uninsured are hitting illegal immigrants especially hard.

I'm offended. No, not that Jose is being cut off by LA County. No, I'm offended that he was receiving government-paid medical care at all, especially the non-emergency care. He is here illegally, taking a job that could be held by an American, and yet he and millions like him feel they are entitled to a free ride at the expense of the American taxpayer.

When times were good, some might have been able to craft a cogent argument for providing taxpayer-subsidized medical care to immigration criminals. But with the economy as it is, there can be no justification for such generosity. Now if private individuals or groups wish to engage in a charitable activity by picking up the tab, I think that is great. Personally, all I'm willing to do is pay for Jose's bus ride back south of the border.

Posted by: Greg at 02:16 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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