As Americans grapple with the dilemma of illegal immigrants milking the health-care system and other tax-payer funded programs, the German government is considering an "anonymous insurance certificate" that would allow illegals to see a doctor without legal repercussions.

According to German asylum laws, these people are entitled to medical treatment in cases of emergency. The problem is that if they reveal their identity they will be treated -- but might end up being deported as a result.

No political solution to this dilemma in the form of new laws is in sight. But the city state of Berlin is now seriously considering introducing an anonymous health insurance card for illegal residents on a case-by-case basis, Deutsche Welle reports.

Berlin senate to look into plan

Welfare offices would cover the costs for cardholders' treatments. The Berlin government, called senate, is looking into the feasibility of such a scheme.

Germany classifies as an illegal migrant foreigners who enter the country without a valid passport, residence permit or visa, and are not otherwise exempt from these requirements, such as through European Union law or other international agreements.

Breaking the conditions of stay set by a visa or residency permit, such as staying longer in Germany than allowed, can result in a person becoming an illegal immigrant.

Germany tougher than rest of Europe

Unlike in many other European countries, doctors, hospitals, social workers, teachers and other employees at public institutions in Germany -- often called upon to help illegal immigrants -- are among those who can be subject to legal action if they fail to report the illegal immigrants to authorities.

The clause of German law that governs this issue states that people who help instigate, prolong or support the stay of an illegal immigrant can be penalized.

Yet doctors' groups, among others, oppose this ruling. They say they shouldn't be required to report patients' personal information, including immigration status, to authorities.

Because public health care is covered by insurance providers, facilities that provide care to illegal immigrants without health insurance often have to pay for the treatment themselves.

In its 2007 Migration Report, the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) said the covert nature of illegal immigration makes it difficult to discern the exact number of illegal immigrants in Germany.

Estimates of illegals vary

But nongovernment groups in Germany have estimated the number of illegal immigrants in the country to be between 100,000 and 1 million.

The BAMF, however, added that indicators -- including the number of people caught trying to illegally enter the country, raids against human trafficking and smuggling operations, and the number of crimes committed by illegal immigrants -- point to a near constant decrease in illegal immigration since 1998.

Escaping poverty, war and repression, as well as family reunification, are among the main reasons people attempt to illegally enter Germany, the government says.

Courtesy Deutsche Welle/germerica