Your Tax Dollars at Work

A controversial $1 billion federal program trumpeted as salvation for hospitals and others stuck with illegal immigrants' unpaid emergency care bills has largely gone unused

Controversial. That's a good word.

None of that money went to Stroger Hospital, Illinois' largest public hospital where 40 percent of its patients' bills go unpaid. However, hospital officials told the Tribune last week that they plan to put in for the federal money.

40% don't pay their bill.

Wonder how high gas prices would be if 40% of customers failed to pay their bill?

In the meantime, some say the money should go elsewhere.

Like maybe back to the taxpayers?

"Providing illegal aliens with free health care is an incentive for more illegals to come here," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), one of the louder voices today calling for tougher immigration policies.

So THAT'S why they come here. For the free health care. I thought it was for the opportunity to earn a better living.

These hospitals are uneasy with the requirement that they document whether their patients are eligible for the federal money. It's an awkward process, the hospital officials say. They are told not to ask if someone is undocumented but to seek proof of birth outside the U.S. such as a driver's license, passport or birth certificate

Since it is awkward to ask personal questions of someone who is getting FREE health care, we better not do it.

Makes sense to me.