Liberals seek health-care access for illegals

[PocketProtector]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-for-illegals/

Liberals seek health-care access for illegals








By Stephen Dinan

Fearful that they're losing ground on immigration and health care, a group of House Democrats is pushing back and arguing that any health care bill should extend to all legal immigrants and allow illegal immigrants some access.

The Democrats, trying to stiffen their party's spines on the contentious issue, say it's unfair to bar illegal immigrants from paying their own way in a government-sponsored exchange. Legal immigrants, they say, regardless of how long they've been in the United States, should be able to get government-subsidized health care if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

"Legal permanent residents should be able to purchase their plans, and they should also be eligible for subsidies if they need it. Undocumented, if they can afford it, should be able to buy their own private plans. It keeps them out of the emergency room," said Rep. Michael M. Honda, California Democrat and chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Mr. Honda was joined by more than 20 of his colleagues in two letters laying out the demands.



Coverage for immigrants is one of the thorniest issues in the health care debate, and one many Democratic leaders would like to avoid. But immigrant rights groups and the Democrats who sent the letters say they have to take a stand now.

President Obama has said he does not want health care proposals to cover illegal immigrants. The bill drawn up by Sen. Max Baucus, Montana Democrat and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, excludes illegal immigrants from his proposed health care exchange.

Mr. Honda and his allies, though, say illegal immigrants should be allowed to pay for insurance if they can afford it, even if it comes through a government-established exchange. As a generally young, healthy part of the population, illegal immigrants could help reduce overall costs for those who buy into health exchange plans, the lawmakers said.

The Democrats' letters, however, do not issue ultimatums or threaten to withhold support for the bills if their requests aren't met.

The National Council of La Raza launched its own "flood their voice mail" campaign last week to put pressure on Mr. Baucus to expand coverage in his proposal to include all legal immigrants and to drop verification language in the legislation that would prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining coverage.

Mr. Honda told The Washington Times that he's not pushing for illegal immigrants to gain access to taxpayer-subsidized benefits. "That's an argument that's been done already," he said.

Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican, said proposals that include government coverage for illegal immigrants leave him incredulous.

"If anybody can, with a straight face, advocate that we should provide health insurance for people who broke into our country, broke our law and for the most part are criminals, I don't know where they ever would draw the line," he said.

Mr. King, who opposes Democrats' health care plans in general, said illegal immigrant access in legislation "would be a poison pill that would cause health care to go down" to defeat.

Twenty-nine Democrats signed on to the letter on legal immigrants, while 21 signed the letter on covering illegal immigrants. Although the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus signed the legal-immigrant letter in their capacity as CBC officials, they signed the other letter as individual members of Congress.

Under the 1996 welfare law overhaul, Congress restricted most federal benefits to longtime holders of green cards - those who have been in the country at least five years.

But Democrats chipped away at that rule when they reauthorized the State Children's Health Insurance Program earlier this year and allowed states to cover all immigrant children and pregnant women, regardless of how long they've been in the country.

In their letter, the Democrats said health care costs are much lower for legal immigrants than for native citizens.

"Immigrants are part of our families, our communities, our economy, and contribute to the fabric of America," they wrote. "It is simply wrong that their taxes would pay for public health insurance programs to which they are not allowed access."

[Pa. Patriot]

Another deceiving "NEWS" article title, and argument.

Illegal aliens already have "health care access". No one is turned down for emgcy treatment at US hospitals.

What they do NOT have is FREE COVERAGE/INSURANCE.

That is what the libs want to give them. YOUR $$. The want you to get the bill instead of the patient.

[phillyd2]

Another deceiving "NEWS" article title, and argument.

Illegal aliens already have "health care access". No one is turned down for emgcy treatment at US hospitals.

What they do NOT have is FREE COVERAGE/INSURANCE.

That is what the libs want to give them. YOUR $$. The want you to get the bill instead of the patient.

Actually they already have that too. Lets keep our terms straight. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING is paid for by the people of this country one way or another. Uninsured costs are simply rolled over to those who are insured as well as subsidized by the tax payers. We have our panties in a bunch because they want to take money out of our front left pocket instead of the back right pocket as they have for the past 40 years. Would be funny if it was not so sad.

[Kimba]

For your viewing enjoyment:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLJxmJZXgNI

[Pa. Patriot]

Actually they already have that too.

True, many do, and more will soon

[Ihatemyglock]

You Lie!...

[goofin]

Illegal aliens already have "health care access". No one is turned down for emgcy treatment at US hospitals.

not just hospitals, any medical facility cannot refuse them care. my sister whom is a doctor at a mini clinic in tucsan was told that if they refuse care to any illegal alien, the feds will shut them down, period.

[SHEPHERD321]

Why isn't immigration enforcement targeting pregnant illegal immigrants for deportation?

[Warpt762x39]

Why isn't immigration enforcement targeting pregnant illegal immigrants for deportation?

They would look bad for turning away an illegal immigrant woman trying to have an anchor baby in the US.

[Morel42]

not just hospitals, any medical facility cannot refuse them care. my sister whom is a doctor at a mini clinic in tucsan was told that if they refuse care to any illegal alien, the feds will shut them down, period.

Actually..

No Hospital or Emergency Care facility that recieves federal funding in anyway can refuse to provide emergency care to anyone (illegal or otherwise).

Private Hospitals that receive no such funds only have to stabilize someone without insurance (someone walks into their ER in full Cardiac Arrest they have to provide any and all care to them until they are stable enough to move to a public hospital..

It's not a Legal or Illegal issue. There is no such seperation as far as the law to provide emergency care for anyone.

NOW given that.. If by some weird loophole that a Illegal alien has legit health insurance, then you have to provide care since they have proven they can have the ability to pay..

That's the key point.. Every ER has to provide care to someone who can prove that they have the ability to pay.. The laws only state that you can't deny care to someone on the solitary reason they are an illegal citizen.. For example, someone walks in that proves ability to pay, but you turn them away for the single reason you think that they're illegal..