There is no doubt in my mind that what we confront now Is an epidemic. one that will call on all our resources to address. While I realize that some of the fears about AIDS are unfounded. I fail to see how permitting more people infected with the AIDS virus to permanently immigrate into America will in any way contribute to the health and wellbeing of the American public. or help us resolve the very serious issues facing us here at home. Mr. President. I believe that out of fairness to the American people. who are alreadyand rightly sodemanding a more equitable and affordable health care system. that lifting the ban at this time would appear unwise until such time as a number of troubling issues are thoroughly addressed. By some estimatesand there are different estimatesthe cost of caring for an AIDS patient can well exceed $100.000 per case. I do not believe that all immigrants with the HIV virus who are permitted entry into this country will be able to afford these astronomical expenses. It seems reasonable to believe then. that many of the thousands granted permanent entry into this country will eventually fall onto the public rolls. Would taxpayers be forced to pay the astronomical cost of treatment for these patientsin effect. establishing a health care asylum in America?
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants with AIDS will become a burden on the healthcare system.