Ethics of Disparities

Question 1

Why do undocumented immigrants seek medical care less often than the general population?

Answer 1

Because they are relatively young, they often have jobs that don’t allow time to visit a doctor or health care facility, and they may fear deportation when they venture outside their known communities

Question 2

Things that have long been covered for undocumented immigrants

Answer 2

1. Emergency room
2. Primary care

Question 3

Major coverage hole for undocumented immigrants

Answer 3

Serious medical problems which do not fall into the category of “emergency”

Eg, cancer, dialysis for ESRD, joint replacements for severe arthritis

Question 4

Medical repatriation

Answer 4

an undocumented patient in need of subacute care is transported to his home country

Question 5

“turfing” a patient

Answer 5

a medical colloquialism referring to an inappropriate transfer of care

Question 6

Dickey-Wicker Amendment

Answer 6

Passed by Congress in 1996 and attached to every appropriations bill since, prohibits harm or destruction of human embryos in research that is funded by federal dollars.

Question 7

“Standing”

Answer 7

A legal doctrine that requires that private parties who want to sue the government must be able to show that they are or will be injured by the statute or practice in question.

Question 8

There is no language in either the law itself or the final regulations stating that . . .

Answer 8

. . . patient demands must be met in the course of performing a medical screening exam or treatment for clinical stabilization

Question 9

Patient-centered, culturally competent care can never be an excuse for ___.

Answer 9

Patient-centered, culturally competent care can never be an excuse for exclusion of certain providers on the basis of a characteristic.