Mr. President. the lack of adequate public health care for the approximately 4 million aliens residing in the United States concerns all Americans. Immigrants often come from regions where exposure to communicable diseases-.some of them rare in this countryis universal. For them. life in the United States. a new country. is made up of emotional and economical stress that complicates their health problems. Unaccustomed to preventive health services. and painfully aware of the high costs of medical care. many immigrants do not seek aid until health problems have reached crisis proportions. This situation is not only a threat to the immigrants. but also Inflicts harm on uncounted thousands of Americans. I am well aware of the problems arising from inadequate health care for these people. Resident aliens account for well over 6 percent of the population in my State of Hawaii. The rate of immigration in Hawaii as a percent of the population is more than twice as high as any other State. Moreover. the immigrants and American Samoans represent the highest percentage of residents in Hawaii treated for leprosy. tuberculosis. pediculosis. underweight children. mental health. and congenital malformation. Mr. Pr*esident. the bill I am proposing Is long overdue. It will bridge the gap that has arisen between the awesome health problems of recent immigrants. and the insufficient health care provided. It will provide health services. and links to those services. for people who desperately need them. And. by helping them. we help those who are more fortunate to have been here since birth. by maintaining a more healthy general environment. It is our national policy to allow immigrants into this country. We should not desert them. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the importance of this bill and will act to secure its early consideration and passage.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants often come from regions where exposure to communicable diseases is universal.