The government watchdog group
Judicial Watch alleged Friday the Obama
administration is formulating plans to admit Ebola-infected
non-U.S. citizens into the United States for treatment.
The group, which cited one unidentified source, said the
administration would aim to bring Ebola patients into the
United States for treatment within the first days of
diagnosis, and that it’s not clear who’d pay either for the
transportation or treatment.
The group alleged the plan for treatment includes special
waivers of laws and regulations that ban the admission of
non-citizens with a communicable disease; Judicial Watch
cited its source saying the administration has not told
Congress about the plan.
“The source is concerned that the proposal is illegal;
endangers the public health and welfare; and should require
the approval of Congress,” Judicial Watch stated.
President Barack Obama has made it clear he opposes any
travel bans to stop Ebola spreading from West Africa into
the United States, noting Thursday “history shows that there
is a likelihood of increased avoidance (that could lead to)
more cases rather than less,”
Fox News reports.
“The problem is that — in all the discussions that I’ve had
thus far with experts in the field, experts in infectious
disease … a travel ban is less effective than the measures
that we are currently instituting,” Obama said.
The United States has brought American citizens back for
treatment of Ebola — including
Dr. Kent Brantly and a colleague who
were working in Africa with Ebola patients, both recovered,
and a
freelance photojournalist who is
currently undergoing treatment. No non-U.S. citizens,
though, have been brought here for treatment.
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