Half a billion dollars in Florida Healthcare went to undocumented immigrants, according to study

A current study by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has shown that the healthcare costs associated with undocumented immigrants in the state of healthcare in healthcare reached almost 660 million dollars.

This number has triggered a controversial debate about the assignment of funds and the more comprehensive effects for both the economy and public health.

Wache: The residents share opinions about health care that go to undocumented immigrants

According to AHCA, the costs that have attributed the state -related “illegal immigrants” visits to the hospital have increased steadily over the years.

In response to the results, residents and civil servants express strong opinions on this matter.

“This money should go to the immediate US citizens who are native or are legally documented to be here,” said Joshua Rawls, a hairdresser from West Palm Beach.

He commented on high health costs and their effects on hard -working people.

“Without a doubt, it is too much,” he said, wondering why financial resources are more on undocumented immigrants than on citizens. “I work 8-8, 12 hours every day and I still can't afford it. How are you and not us?”

Despite this value, this 660 million US dollars corresponds to less than 1% of general health expenditure in Florida, which was around 77.3 billion US dollars last year.

Conversely, the native of Kristen Pender from West Palm Beach showed a different perspective and emphasized the economic contributions of immigrants without papers.

“They contribute to our economy,” she said, found that the residents paid almost 1.8 billion US dollars without papers, according to the Institute for Tax and Economic Policy.

Pender argued that the refusal of care violates human principles.

“Should we just let people suffer? I don't think that is human at all,” she said.

Data showed that Palm Beach County caused the highest costs on site in conjunction with undocumented migration background:

• Palm Beach County: $ 40.2m
• Martin County: $ 5.9 million
• St. Lucie County: $ 1.4 million
• Indian River County: $ 1.3 million
• Okeechobee County: $ 0.1 m

In the further course of the conversation on the financing of the healthcare system, residents like Pender support for compassion on categorization.
“Ultimately, we are humans and we just have to show that it is important to us,” she said.

The debate shows the complex dynamics of health financing, immigration and social responsibility in Florida, since both sides of the argument are looking for solutions to compensate for tax accountability and humanitarian needs.