Readers React: Healthcare for the undocumented too

The Times was wrong to oppose a state bill to provide medical insurance to low-income immigrants. Healthcare for all, including the undocumented, is an issue that California must address. (“This bill isn’t the way to help immigrants afford healthcare,” Editorial, May 22)

It’s unconscionable that there are people dying in our communities from preventable illnesses because they didn’t have the right paperwork or the money. Everyone in California has a right to live a full life with dignity, and if we are to truly have a strong healthcare system, it must include everyone.

There are also compelling economic reasons for increasing access. Providing health coverage to all Californians can save money by reducing unnecessary emergency room costs. It’s more cost-effective to prevent sickness than it is to treat it once it reaches a critical condition.

Furthermore, undocumented Californians keep our state’s economic engine going, so it makes sense to keep them healthy. The undocumented paid $2.7 billion in state taxes in 2010. They make up half of all agricultural workers in an industry worth about $40 billion in this state.

There’s too much at stake. California can’t afford not to find a solution.

Vanessa Aramayo

Los Angeles

The writer is the director of California Partnership.