Mexican Drug Violence Victims Treated In US Hospitals

[polis]

Currently, there is a war between the Mexican government and the cartels located in Mexico. Many of those who are on the hit list of the cartels or who were in the crossfire, have gone to the ports of entry of the US to seek medical treatment instead of seeking treatment in Mexico.

These "victims" some are american citizens working mexico and some are mexican nationals. They are sent to hospitals in the US, mainly in my city, the only one with a trauma unit, because they ("victims") are at high risk, they essentially put the hospital in lock down mode. Lockdown mode can last more than week, which costs money because of the need for more personnel, and it also makes it hard on the hospital employees and the other patients.

The cities that have these hospitals that these "victims" are going to foot the bill. How does this make you feel? What do you think should be done?

http://www.elpasotimes.com/juarez/ci_9989724



-- Thomason Hospital this year has treated 22 people believed to be victims of the drug wars in Mexico, costing El Paso County about $1 million in security and health care.

Commissioner Veronica Escobar asked those attending next week's meeting in Washington to stress El Paso's designation as among the nation's safest cities and the importance of the growing medical school and medical programs at and near Thomason Hospital.

She also asked that they discuss who will pay for the hospital and security costs of the patients.

"We shouldn't shift it off to Thomason," she said.

Officials in Reyes' office said the hospital has received about $52 million in the past 10 years to help pay for care of the indigent and residents of other countries, such as Mexico.

But Valenti said the current situation is far from normal.

"We're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in security and unreimbursed hospital care," he said.


Although other hospitals may be closer to the port of entry being used by the patients, they are often taken to Thomason because their injuries require Level 1 trauma care.


Valenti and Apodaca said they would continue to respond to people who need medical help.

"When it comes down to people in need, we're all going to do the right thing," Valenti said.

He asked that the Commissioners Court send a letter to El Paso's legislative representatives to ask for help. The hospital district has already sent a letter.

"We cannot continue to send the message to Mexico that they can come in and do whatever they want," Commissioner Luis Sariñana said.

[Pete Bondurant]

Build the wall. Steel, re-inforced concrete and razor wire. Land-mines. Guard towers. Night vision. Attack dogs. Horse patrols. Humvee patrols. DMZ. The one thing North Korea does well, aside from mass rythmic gymnastics. Don't let these individuals into the United States, and there is no need to worry about how they are treated. They won't be able to come to the United States to be treated.

[polis]

Build the wall. Steel, re-inforced concrete and razor wire. Land-mines. Guard towers. Night vision. Attack dogs. Horse patrols. Humvee patrols. DMZ. The one thing North Korea does well, aside from mass rythmic gymnastics. Don't let these individuals into the United States, and there is no need to worry about how they are treated. They won't be able to come to the United States to be treated.

Some are US citizens...

also, that wouldn't be good for diplomacy. US in a lot of ways is dependent on Mexico, for security and the economy. You have to look more in depth for a solution.

[polis]

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_10047252

Thomason CEO Jim Valenti, hospital Board of Managers Chairman Ron Acton and County Commissioner Veronica Escobar met with U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, and leaders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issue.

Valenti said Reyes assured local officials that he will look for potential funding sources to pay for the medical and security costs associated with the patients' treatment.

[Pete Bondurant]

Some are US citizens...

also, that wouldn't be good for diplomacy. US in a lot of ways is dependent on Mexico, for security and the economy. You have to look more in depth for a solution.

Mexico does nothing to ensure U.S. security, and even what they do is subsidised by the United States taxpayers who send billions of dollars to the Mexican government law-enforcement agencies and the Mexican military. It is a fucking farce!

[Athena]

Mexico and other Central/South American countries are instrumental in our retarded War on Drugs, therefore, these costs must be endured for as long as we remain rabid about the drug trade. If anything, however, the hospital should not be forced to absorb the cost.

[Pete Bondurant]

Mexico and other Central/South American countries are instrumental in our retarded War on Drugs, therefore, these costs must be endured for as long as we remain rabid about the drug trade. If anything, however, the hospital should not be forced to absorb the cost.

They are instrumental, after we pay the bill. It is horseshit.

If the drugs trade is to be stopped, drug dealers must be shot. That is the only solution. If you do not do this, you might as well just legalise the poison.

[polis]

Mexico does nothing to ensure U.S. security, and even what they do is subsidised by the United States taxpayers who send billions of dollars to the Mexican government law-enforcement agencies and the Mexican military. It is a fucking farce!

mexico's military is as important as the canadian military. lol.

also, mexico tries to prevent as many south americans crossing through mexico to get to the US.

now imagine if mexico stopped doing that? you'd be having a bigger anti-illegal shit fit.

[Pete Bondurant]

mexico's military is as important as the canadian military. lol.

also, mexico tries to prevent as many south americans crossing through mexico to get to the US.

now imagine if mexico stopped doing that? you'd be having a bigger anti-illegal shit fit.

Mexico's mililtary is complicit in the narcotic trade.

Mexico tries to prevent as many Central and South Americans crossing into Mexico, because MEXICO does not want these people in MEXICO, not because they wish to prevent these people from entering the United States.

There are plenty of violent El Salvadoran gang members in the United States, as well as criminals from all over Latin America, which would not be here, if the UNITED STATES actually had a sane border/immigration control policy, of even if the UNITED STATES actually had ANY border/immigration control policy.

[polis]

Mexico's mililtary is complicit in the narcotic trade.

Mexico tries to prevent as many Central and South Americans crossing into Mexico, because MEXICO does not want these people in MEXICO, not because they wish to prevent these people from entering the United States.

There are plenty of violent El Salvadoran gang members in the United States, as well as criminals from all over Latin America, which would not be here, if the UNITED STATES actually had a sane border/immigration control policy, of even if the UNITED STATES actually had ANY border/immigration control policy.

actually a lot of former AMERICAN military can be thanked for the miltia training that the cartels have, like the zetas.

mexico doesn't want people crossing through because they get the backlash, either tied of int'l borders or a tariff. it happens and they don't like it.

i'm shocked to see this thread hasn't died yet. anyhow. if there is no border/immigration policy...then there shouldn't be any borders.

[Gilbrit]

Currently, there is a war between the Mexican government and the cartels located in Mexico. Many of those who are on the hit list of the cartels or who were in the crossfire, have gone to the ports of entry of the US to seek medical treatment instead of seeking treatment in Mexico.

Mexico needs to take care of that problem and not make it an US problem.
Turn them away. If they got that far to a US port they can get a quick patch and a return ride home via bus back to Mexico.

[Athena]

Mexico needs to take care of that problem and not make it an US problem.
Turn them away. If they got that far to a US port they can get a quick patch and a return ride home via bus back to Mexico.

That's the point, though. The problem was created by the U.S. Do you honestly think these Central and South American countries would be warring with cartels if not for the U.S. war on drugs?

WE are the ones so delusional as to think that pursuing a drug-free society (an impossibility) is a worthy endeavor. The officials in other nations are simply playing along to avoid more pressure.

This is our fault to begin with. Frankly, I love to see this type of thing. It helps to illustrate the retardedness of U.S. drug policy.

[polis]

Mexico needs to take care of that problem and not make it an US problem.
Turn them away. If they got that far to a US port they can get a quick patch and a return ride home via bus back to Mexico.

1. Most of the victims are US citizens, so they can't get turned away from the border.
2. The rest have legal documentation to be in the US, so they don't get turned away either.
3. US port of entry between ciduad juarez and el paso, tx are not that far. It takes 5 leisurely minutes to walk over to the US side, now imagine by car.
4. Speaking victims, two more came into the US this weekend, both US citizens.


I do believe that those employed with the police and government with mexico should pay for the security and medical.

[Gilbrit]

Currently, there is a war between the Mexican government and the cartels located in Mexico.

That is MX's problem.

[polis]

That is MX's problem.

oh gilbrit, i wish it was that easy. obviously you never lived on the border of the United States by Mexico, nor have you more than likely visited.

It is a problem of the US. Please look into how Americans are getting kidnapped IN the US by drug cartels from mexico. Also the cartels would not be determined to get their drugs through if it weren't for American drug users.

also, this would not be a problem if the US didn't pressure Mexico to take a stance on drugs.

So either we help with this problem because our country wants the war on drugs won, or we let anyone snort up yeyo, tap an arm for heroin, or let everyone hit up a joint, guilt free.

[Gilbrit]

That is MX's problem.

Polis, quit talking out of your ass.
You know nothing about me nor would I give you the benefit.
Go stir shit up with someone else. I know your games and the enjoyment you get by it.

[polis]

Polis, quit talking out of your ass.
You know nothing about me nor would I give you the benefit.
Go stir shit up with someone else. I know your games and the enjoyment you get by it.

actually i'm just going by your statement that it's just mexico's problem, anyone who knows about the border relations US and Mexico have no it's not just something Mexico is effected by. My game? pffft. lol. seriously. I have an argument with an asshole and now i'm after all DD. Right. Stupid.

[Athena]

That is MX's problem.

Gilbrit, with all due respect, that's an intensely short-sighted perspective. As I mentioned previously, the Mexican government wouldn't be engaged with these cartels at the level they currently are if they were not spurred on by the U.S. government, which subsidizes their efforts and threatens economic consequences in the event that Mexico does not assist the "anti-drug" effort.

As Polis has repeatedly stated, many of the individuals crossing the border to be treated are American citizens. Doesn't that suggest something? I mean, it's a bit of an assumption, but I wouldn't doubt that these individuals are engaged in counter-trafficking measures on behalf of the U.S. government IN Mexico.

This clearly isn't just Mexico's problem. These folks, U.S. citizen or not, are bleeding over into the U.S. (no pun intended) for treatment, putting undue strain on local hospitals, one in particular. These costs could be enough to eventually put this hospital, with a premier trauma unit, out of business.

Should we really pretend like the problem stops at the Mexican border and allow this hospital to take the hit?

[brokenandtwisted]

This clearly isn't just Mexico's problem. These folks, U.S. citizen or not, are bleeding over into the U.S. (no pun intended) for treatment, putting undue strain on local hospitals, one in particular. These costs could be enough to eventually put this hospital, with a premier trauma unit, out of business.

Should we really pretend like the problem stops at the Mexican border and allow this hospital to take the hit?

Nope. Simply deny them medical attention. Sounds horrible, but it's effective.

[Athena]

Nope. Simply deny them medical attention. Sounds horrible, but it's effective.

It's also illegal, here. ERs cannot deny treatment to those who need it, even illegals. Trauma patients clearly need it.

No, I strongly believe tax payers need to take the hit on this one. We're already paying for everything else regarding the war on drugs, from direct combat with cartels in foreign countries down to the SWAT teams who raid innocent households and shoot their dogs. To hell with it - the government refuses to give up or even scale back on this increasingly militarized, failed program...I say we pile on the costs until the fucker breaks under the weight.

[brokenandtwisted]

It's also illegal, here. ERs cannot deny treatment to those who need it, even illegals. Trauma patients clearly need it.

No, I strongly believe tax payers need to take the hit on this one. We're already paying for everything else regarding the war on drugs, from direct combat with cartels in foreign countries down to the SWAT teams who raid innocent households and shoot their dogs. To hell with it - the government refuses to give up or even scale back on this increasingly militarized, failed program...I say we pile on the costs until the fucker breaks under the weight.

Ah. The War on Drugs (WoD hereafter) is largely a wasted effort, though. Cut off communication they're basically screwed. You could probably make a wall on the border with the amount of money spent on the WoD since it began. I am not for closing borders, entirely, but making an effort to hinder communication is something they need to consider.

I know you can't deny people medical attention...but charging it to the nation of the illegals is also another option. America should not bear the burden of illegal's crimes.

[polis]

It's also illegal, here. ERs cannot deny treatment to those who need it, even illegals. Trauma patients clearly need it.

No, I strongly believe tax payers need to take the hit on this one. We're already paying for everything else regarding the war on drugs, from direct combat with cartels in foreign countries down to the SWAT teams who raid innocent households and shoot their dogs. To hell with it - the government refuses to give up or even scale back on this increasingly militarized, failed program...I say we pile on the costs until the fucker breaks under the weight.

I agree with you on this, it's against the law to deny anyone emergency medical treatment. Some of these people are people who got caught in the cross fire and weren't direct targets (ex. a little girl who was shot while playing outside near a wanted target, but died).


It has been a big burden on the cities and maybe the state or federal government should assist. I do believe that Mexico should cover the costs of those who are not US citizens.


There is also the humanitiarian issue. What kind of person can simply deny a person treatment because it happened to someone of a different country or happened a mile away from the border? There are people out there that would not support denying people treatment, i would like to believe that would be doctors, humanists, and overall someone who can put themselves in the shoes of another and say, what if that were me...or someone i loved.

[Athena]

There is also the humanitiarian issue. What kind of person can simply deny a person treatment because it happened to someone of a different country or happened a mile away from the border? There are people out there that would not support denying people treatment, i would like to believe that would be doctors, humanists, and overall someone who can put themselves in the shoes of another and say, what if that were me...or someone i loved.

On a side note...I'm kind of phobic about getting denied medical treatment in a country outside my own. It happens, you know. I can't even imagine the horror of knowing you could die if you don't get help but having the local hospital tell you you're out of luck. @_@

[polis]

On a side note...I'm kind of phobic about getting denied medical treatment in a country outside my own. It happens, you know. I can't even imagine the horror of knowing you could die if you don't get help but having the local hospital tell you you're out of luck. @_@

I think getting treat at a Mexican hospital is scary. Cartels are known to go in and shoot up the place. Also they don't have all the medical equipment they should. My ass would be walking over the bridge, even if i was bleeding to death.

So far since August 1 till today 25 people killed in Juarez involving the drug war. Since Jan, 700.

Not that many of them make it to the bridge.

[Pete Bondurant]

Not that many of them make it to the bridge.

Demolish the bridge, then NONE of them will make it.

[polis]

Demolish the bridge, then NONE of them will make it.

lol. good one.

however, i could do that to any american.. scumball, innocent bystander or etc. besides the rio grande...is super tiny... they will just get their feet dirty walking across, not even wet..backls. ;)