Gov. Patrick: Mass. Must Provide Health Care For Illegal Immigrants

Gov. Deval Patrick says the state must provide health care for illegal immigrants, despite the cost. That's after the Patrick administration released figures that show the state spent $178 million to reimburse hospitals for treating patients who failed to prove legal residency.

But Patrick says the health safety net is serving its purpose.

"I defy anybody to turn a human being in a medical emergency away from care because they are undocumented," Patrick said. "That's a federal law and, more to the point, it reflects our best values."

Patrick claims the state is spending 40 percent less on reimbursements for the uninsured than it did during the Romney administration.