Ordinary people are sent to the hospital. Not only are they afraid of losing their lives, but also of going into debt due to the cost of the health care they need. But what happens if this patient is an illegal alien? What happens if the patient has a foreign disease that needs to be cured to prevent it from spreading? Should health care providers continue to provide care even if they cannot pay? Or should illegal aliens be treated like any other patient with the right to health care? Illegal aliens are net consumers of public services and contribute to economic growth (Immigrants' Economic Contributions, 2009). Since 1990, immigrants have contributed to employment growth in three main ways: they occupy a growing share of jobs overall, they accept jobs in regions where labor is scarce, and they occupy the types of jobs that local workers often avoid. Foreign-born individuals represent only 15.6 percent of the U.S. population and 23.9 percent of the labor force (The Foreign-Born Labor Force in the United States, 2009). When you do the math, it makes perfect sense to spend what little we do, if not more, to keep them healthy (Karvounis, 2007). Caring for undocumented immigrants represents a tiny fraction of the nation's health care burden. They receive minimal care; some pay taxes. Between half and three-quarters of undocumented immigrants pay taxes and some also work “under the table” (What Immigration Reform Could Mean to the US Economy, 2009). Illegal aliens pay up to $7 billion per year into the Social Security Fund, although they are not eligible for benefits from this program (Economic Contribution of Immigrants, 2009). Additionally, undocumented workers pay sales taxes where applicable and property taxes—...... middle of newspaper...... Today's News Blog. AAPS - Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. Retrieved from http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/00101811. Few illegal immigrants are denied social security benefits. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.tscl.org/NewContent/102725.asp12. Kirchick, J. (2008). Open the door | Hoover Institution. Hoover Institution. Retrieved from http://www.hoover.org/publications/policy-review/article/575613. OnlineBungay, F. (2010). Open borders. Adam Smith Institute – the free market think tank. Retrieved from http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/international/open-borders/14. Forman, W. (2010). Open borders « Commentarius. Retrieved from http://www.commentarius.org/?tag=open-borders15. Hilda Solis on immigration. (2006). OnTheIssues.org - Candidates on the Issues. Retrieved from http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Hilda_Solis_Immigration.htm