Left Behind: Illegal Immigrants and Health CareWith the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, most Americans are concerned about their private insurance or through Medicaid or CHIP benefits. However, there is another population that has been almost entirely excluded from the new bill: undocumented immigrants. There is an ongoing debate over whether illegal immigrants should be eligible for the public health benefits outlined in the ACA. Both views are obvious: whether to provide health insurance to illegal immigrants and whether to allow them to enjoy the benefits of a public health system. However, the question is not so simple. There is a large group of people whose lives will forever be affected by the decision made on this issue. Before we can delve deeper into the aspects of the issue, we need to see what the current situation is. Under the Affordable Care Act, only legalized and legalized immigrants, such as asylum seekers or refugees, can be eligible for Medicaid and CHIP. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, or purchasing coverage through the Marketplace. They can purchase their own coverage without going through Marketplace. However, it typically costs more and their job may not include it in their benefits (“Immigrants and the Affordable Care Act,” 2013). One of the major complaints many people have against public health insurance for illegal immigrants is the Medicaid emergency. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, hospitals must provide life-saving emergency services to those who show up, regardless of citizenship status or money. If the patient does not have insurance or money to pay for medical treatment and meets all Medicaid requirements except citizenship, the government will pay for their health care (“Em.. .... middle of paper..... .ALA is in effect, and taxpayers pay for this health care The cost of health care will decrease if illegal immigrants have access to public health benefits, because they will have. probably seek care sooner Therefore, it simply makes more sense to give undocumented immigrants public health benefits. Taxpayers already pay for EMTALA, so allowing immigrants to have access to CHIP or Medicaid will have less effect on taxpayers. Undocumented immigrants have a large presence in American society and the workforce. insurance puts significant pressure on emergency and safety net clinics. Beyond the research and numbers, there is a group of people who have changed their lives to become a social worker. part of this country, and they need health care.