Immigrants: The Essential Pillar of Our Healthcare System
- The author suffered a series of health incidents that required extensive medical care and hospitalization. He expresses gratitude for having Medicare and supplemental insurance, attributing his survival and recovery to the extensive care he received and the professionals who provided it, many of whom were immigrants.
- The author expresses frustration at the healthcare inequalities in the United States, noting that over 25 million Americans lack health insurance and the Congressional Budget Office projects this number to rise to 35 million by 2029. He also notes that many people are pushed into massive debt from healthcare costs, including those who are insured but underinsured.
- His experience prompts him to advocate for the essential role immigrants play in the healthcare sector, stating that high percentages of healthcare support workers, as well as significant percentages of doctors, nurses, and technical staff, are immigrants. He calls out those who limit healthcare access and demonize immigrants, arguing that their invaluable contribution to the country deserves recognition and equal access to healthcare.
Aging, Healthcare, and Immigrants: A Personal Journey
Residing in a Westchester County retirement community, my parents often recounted what they referred to as “Organ Recitals”, a humorous name given to the frequent discussions about health ailments. Such talks, about issues ranging from bladder complications to liver problems, were common.
Despite having promised myself not to fall into this pattern, last year was marked by a series of health troubles. From bladder stone surgery and complications like pneumonia and urinary tract infection in January, to a compression fracture of my back in February, to getting a defibrillator installed in my chest due to a heart condition in March, followed by esophagitis, a pulmonary embolism, and the kyphoplasty procedure for my back. Consequently, much of the first half of the year was spent in hospital and rehab.
Though I endured these hardships, I remain grateful for my Medicare and supplemental insurance, and the healthcare professionals who aided my recovery. However, I am also enraged by those who deny healthcare access to countless Americans, and who discriminate against immigrants, many of whom were instrumental in my care.
It’s distressing that over 25 million Americans lack health insurance, a number projected to increase to 35 million by 2029. In 10 states, the ruling party’s refusal to expand Medicaid has left over three million people uninsured.
During my stay in hospital and rehab, I pondered over those who lack insurance or do not qualify for Medicare. Could they afford the numerous CT scans, MRI’s, blood tests, medications, and round-the-clock care that I received? Even if they did receive the care, would they be able to evade medical bankruptcy? Tellingly, Kaiser Family Foundation states that over 100 million Americans have been buried under massive debt from healthcare costs.
The majority of my caregivers were immigrants, who form a significant section of the healthcare support staff. According to the Migration Policy Institute, in states like New York, California, and Florida, over 50%, 41%, and 37% of healthcare support workers respectively are immigrants. They rendered excellent care that contributed significantly to my recovery and, like all of us, deserve reliable access to healthcare services.
Therefore, I cannot overlook those who restrict healthcare access and vilify immigrants. Our dependency on them is just as much as their dependency on us.
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