Prenatal Care for Illegal Immigrants

Re “State Plans to Deny Prenatal Care for Illegal Immigrants,” Jan. 30: I’ll grant that the [prenatal] aid reduces health threats to the mother and children and could help curb the spread of infectious disease. But what I don’t understand is if officials know these pregnant women are here illegally, why aren’t they deported?

And remember, it isn’t the cost; it’s also the upkeep. The 70,000 recipients who lack legal immigration status could soon be getting virtually free expensive prenatal care and eventually the welfare required to support our newest little citizens (and their undocumented families).

Wouldn’t the $84 million a year projected cost be of more value if it were sent to the country of origin to raise the standard of free health care for pregnant women in their own countries? Certainly $84 million would go a lot further for prenatal and postnatal medical treatment in such countries as Mexico. And along with it, there would be enough money to train qualified obstetrics doctors and nurses.

Mexico and other Latino countries deserve a chance to prove that they are capable of handling their own problems created by the current baby boom.

MARIA DENKER

Studio City

* Re “Babies Will Pay for This One,” editorial, Jan. 30: How can you justify attacking Gov. Pete Wilson for restricting care to non- citizen pregnant women and endorse a policy that kills thousands of babies through abortion?

Abortion, Mr. Hypocrite, is no way to treat a baby!

GARY D. OSBORN

Huntington Beach