True, a reason, albeit a relatively small one when taken in it proper context with respect to healthcare costs as a whole. Undocumented immigrants represent about 20% of the total of unisured nationally (with wide fluctations based on individual states) and all of them don't use healthcare. For those that do they use it at a substancially lesser rate than their "non-illegal" counterparts. Some actually pay their bills.

Does any of this make it right? NO. But it is not by far a major player in the costs associated with our health care industry as compared to wasted tests associated with malpractice, self induced illness from patients (alcohol, drugs, smoking, obesity, non-compliance etc) administrative overhead, and more.

While it may be a hot button emotional issue that is popular to use, there are much bigger players at work.

That being said I do think we have to figure a way to stem the cost associated with illegal immigrants and healthcare. That would mean we would have to address the bigger picture of illegal immigration at large. I don't think that problem can be blamed completely on either party. As always..follow the money.