title: Undocumented and at the end of life.
abstract: Three of the most contentious issues in contemporary American society-allocation of medical resources, end of life care, and immigration-converge when undocumented immigrant patients are facing the terminal phase of chronic illness. The lack of consistent, pragmatic policy in each of these spheres leaves us with little guidance for how to advocate for undocumented patients at the end of life. Limited resources and growing need compound the problem. Care for patients in this unfortunate situation should be grounded in clinical and economic reality as well as respect for the dignity of the individual to avoid exacerbating inequalities.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendola
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014481:United States