Editorial: Illinois and immigrants lacking permanent legal status make for a health care conundrum

Should immigrants lacking permanent legal status arriving in Chicago in big numbers get free health care paid for by the state?

It makes sense to provide at least basic medical services to refugees and others in need. Immigrants lacking permanent legal status often are refugees with children who have undergone arduous journeys and have few resources at their disposal. Paying attention to preventive care in the present often prevents expensive emergency room visits and other costly interventions down the road. And refugees deserve a humane welcome to the state.

Nobody in an advanced society wants to deny a sick child medicine.