Medical Care for Illegal Immigrants

Although it is not my custom to air disputes in public, Nancy Thomson’s letter (Feb. 26) accusing my brother, Monte, and me of illegal acts, and questioning our integrity, cannot go unanswered.

We do not knowingly invite illegal aliens to Orange County. We provide care to everyone. We do not ask for immigration cards when we provide medical services. If a person needs a physician, we are there to help. Her statement that these services are available in public hospitals is refuted by the fact that Orange County does not have any public hospitals, having sold the county hospital many years ago.

The wealth that we inherited from my grandfather’s orange groves amounted to $2,000, which was used for my medical education. We are not wealthy. We have been able to continue to provide our services because of the support provided by our private patients and, especially, the support of our families, who are very contented with the modest lifestyles that we follow. The real quality in life does not come from money.

I must also refute the implied charge that we are a burden to the American taxpayer. Our care has been focused on the areas of greatest need: pregnant women and children. Previously, the illegal aliens received no prenatal care. They merely presented themselves to our hospitals, in labor, with all of the advanced complications expected. Numerous studies have confirmed that the simple measure of providing prenatal care greatly reduces the overall costs of maternity services, at a tremendous savings to the taxpayer.

I share Ms. Thomson’s concerns about the burdens of illegal immigration. However, I believe that instead of attacking me and my brother, she and her organization, Citizens for Responsible Immigration, should redirect their efforts against the true causes of illegal immigration. As a sister nation, we should help Mexico to become a country that can provide employment opportunities and a quality of life that we Americans take for granted.

DR. DON R. McCANNE

San Clemente