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Swine flu could shine glaring light on uninsured - Health AP - MiamiHerald.comSwine flu could shine glaring light on uninsured
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press Writer
Swine flu could shine a glaring light on the best and worst about American-style health care. ... But in a country where one in seven people lack medical insurance, doctors worry that some individuals won't get needed protection because of cost.
It could leave the rest of society more vulnerable.
In a flu epidemic, the uninsured face the worst options: flooding the emergency rooms or self-medicating with cold preparations and hoping for the best.
...For example, if they're here as illegal immigrants, should taxpayers still cover the costs?
...
"The person I'm most worried about is the one who decides to delay getting care, and does it in such a way that they infect others or put themselves at greater risk," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.
...
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., have introduced legislation to pay for temporary medical treatment for uninsured people during a public health emergency. It could be a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane, a bioterror attack, or a medical emergency such as a flu pandemic.
"...
Government coverage would be limited to treatment for problems that are related to the public emergency.
Dealing with immigrants could be one of the most difficult issues.
The uninsured are mostly native born. But immigrants are more than twice as likely to be uninsured as people born here.
...."