'Right-wingers' not out to kill reform

Froma Harrop's article "Health care bill has no freebies for illegal workers" is misleading, insulting and just plain wrong.

The Democratic-sponsored plans specifically have no provision to check for immigration status in those who apply for health care. In fact, amendments proposed by the Republicans to provide such a check have been soundly defeated by the Democratic majority. If it is true that the health care bill will not provide care to illegal immigrants, why is this provision being denied?

It is estimated that one third of the births in California are to illegal immigrant mothers. Does Ms. Harrop suggest that suddenly, after enacting health care reform, these women will simply stop having babies in America? Does she expect them to be turned away from the emergency rooms and birthing centers? If not, then by default they will be receiving free health care under President Obama's new system.

If those who support Obama's plan would admit that illegal immigrants will be covered, and more importantly, address the real costs of doing so, then we could have an honest, open discussion about how to fix our health care system.

I'm sure Ms. Harrop will consider me to be just another typical, uncaring "right-winger". However, this is not true. I am a physician who regularly provides free care to illegal immigrants in DuPage County. I never question their immigration status, and I never request payment for my services. But I realize that this problem must be solved if our country is to finally contain out-of-control health care costs.

We "right wingers" are not trying to kill health care reform. What we are asking for is a system that maintains the majority of what is right, while fixing the obvious problems. Most importantly, we would like this done in a careful, controlled manner that does not further bankrupt the country.

Joseph Nuzzarello, MD

Wheaton