NZ: Immigrants with illnesses put strain on health services (medical, bias, wages)

[Anonymous Political Junky]

Another country having the same basic problems as we do with immigration, both legal and illegal.

Immigrants with illnesses put strain on health services - 21 Sep 2008 - NZ Herald: Health, Health Services and Medical news

The case of the tourist with highly infectious tuberculosis is just one of hundreds of cases of patients from overseas who arrive here and cause a financial strain on the New Zealand health system. District health boards are also understood to be frustrated that immigration officials grant residency to certain foreigners despite the huge cost to the health system. The Auckland District Health Board spent $16.2 million on "non-eligible patients" last year - up from $12m three years ago - and has $2.1m in unpaid debt.

[markg67]

New Zealand has rigorous health checks for intending migrants from at risk areas of the world and most of the $16.2m spent on ill tourists was recovered from the tourists or their insurance (the $2.1m not recovered is an insignifcant sum in the greater scheme of things - besides; tourists pay tax when they are in the country so its not a total loss, not like politician's wages for example).

[ArizonaBear]

And the irony is not so terribly long ago was that New Zealand had a definite pro 'Third World' bias--------not any more. Apparently; now that they are being victimized-------their attitudes are taking a hard right turn.

[markg67]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

And the irony is not so terribly long ago was that New Zealand had a definite pro 'Third World' bias--------not any more. Apparently; now that they are being victimized-------their attitudes are taking a hard right turn.

Yes - and under a LEFT government too...