A national association of physicians Thursday in San Diego called on the U.S. government to develop a policy that increases access to health care to millions of uninsured, foreign-born residents, including undocumented immigrants.

"Those who lack access to health insurance both live sicker and die younger," said Dr. Robert Luke, chair of the American College of Physicians' Board of Regents during a news conference at the San Diego Convention Center. "This is especially true for Latino populations, the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States."

The association, which is holding its annual convention in San Diego, released a report with several recommendations, including:

The U.S. born-children of undocumented immigrants should receive the same access to health coverage and government-subsidized health care as any other U.S. citizen.

Taxpayers should not be required to subsidize health insurance coverage for undocumented immigrants but they should not be prevented from paying out-of –pocket for health insurance. The report noted that undocumented immigrants will not be allowed to purchase coverage from the state health exchanges that will be created under the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform signed into law last year.

The association acknowledged the need for border security but said that any policy that intends to force millions of undocumented immigrants to return to their native countries could result in severe health consequences.

The association opposes any proposal that would require a physician to report a person's immigration status to federal authorities, saying it would be a breach of medical ethics.

Speakers expected the association to be criticized for weighing in on the very political immigration debate but said a discussion must take place because there is no policy in place to address the needs of such a large population.

"This is a complex and often emotional issue," Luke said. "Yet avoiding the issue is not the answer, nor is having states enact a patchwork of individual responses.

With the immigrant population in the U.S. continuing to grow, this is a national issue requiring a national policy," he said.

About 12 percent of the nation's population, about 37 million people, is foreign-born or immigrant, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. An additional 11 percent, or 33 million, has at least one parent who is foreign born, according to the Census.

More than half of the nation's immigrants were born in Latin America and almost one third were born in Mexico, according to the Census.

According to the report, more than half of the nation's immigrants lack private health coverage, mainly because many are employed in low-waged jobs that do not offer health coverage. Many, particularly the undocumented, rely on clinics, health centers and emergency hospital services.

"We need to recognize that residents who lack legal documentation are likely to access health care services when ill, especially in emergency situations," said Dr. J. Fred Ralston, president of the American College of Physicians.

"And, that hospitals and physicians are legally and ethically responsible to care for them."

Leonel.sanchez@sandiegored.com