Posted on 05/18/2004 1:30:33 AM PDT by sarcasm
WASHINGTON -- House Democrats say a plan advancing for a vote today would stop illegal immigrants from seeking care at hospitals such as Ben Taub in Houston because of fears of deportation.
The bill's supporters, however, say it is a way to save more money for citizens and legal residents. They say there is no need for the nation to subsidize care for people within the borders illegally.
The debate is over a proposal in a Medicare bill to spend $1 billion for the next four years on reimbursing hospitals for the treatment of illegal immigrants. Texas could reap $50 million each year, officials said.
The bill requires hospitals to take fingerprints or photographs of illegal immigrants and make the records available to the Department of Homeland Security, which can use them to begin deportation proceedings.
The proposal also requires illegal immigrants receiving care to name their employer, so the medical bill could be sent there instead of to Washington.
"The American people are waiting to see if we are going to use our scarce health care dollars to help our senior citizens ... or if we're going to use to help strangers who are here illegally," said California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, the Republican who wrote the proposal.
Several Democrats from Texas and California, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, called the bill "outrageous" and "xenophobic."
Doggett said the proposal would turn doctors and hospital officials into border patrol agents, a move that would take too much attention from their regular duties
"We're trying to merge ER with NYPD Blue here," Doggett said. "These are real live human beings who face crisis."
The Harris County Hospital District, which provides health care to the poor, has not taken a position on the bill, said King Hillier, who lobbies for the county.
However, hospital officials generally do not like "being an extension" of immigration officials, he said.
The county spends about $50 million a year on care of illegal immigrants and some of that cost is covered by federal subsidies for indigent care, King said. He said Harris County has about 20 percent of the state's illegal immigrant population.
Hospitals refusing to keep the records of illegal immigrants would not be eligible for the federal subsidies. The money was allotted in December as part of a massive Medicare overhaul in response to hospitals that said they would have to close their emergency rooms without money for care of the immigrants.
Rep. David Drier, R-Calif., who heads the powerful Rules Committee, opposes the bill, and there is no version pending in the Senate.
"My concern is that it will send a message to many people that the threat of deportation is on the horizon," Drier said.
Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, said the bill is necessary for "national security and financial security of this nation."
Huh?
ping
ping
bttt
Bush would veto such a bill. America should subsidize third-world health care. If you don't think america should become a third-world nation as soon as possible, you are part of the problem.
Have immigrants get a sponsor. Or have those who want more immigrants pay for their health care, not hardworking Americans who have difficulty paying their own medical bills.
Maceman calls Rep. Lloyd Dogget of Austin "Ameriphobic."
Uh-oh, looks like a couple more Republicans have left the reservation. They're not gonna be welcome at the White House anymore, if they keep this up. ;^)
Bill their employer --- those who want cheap gardeners or nannies should pay for their health care. Bill Mexico for those coming over from Mexico for their health care here and stop giving welfare checks and food stamps to those unwed mothers moving over to have babies here. Go after illegal fathers who don't pay child support.
ping
Exactly right...bill the employers of these illegals. Why should the rest of us have to pay the freight so they can get cheap labor?
The money shouldn't be given unless names and information about the non-payers is provided. If an illegal shows up to a physician's office with cash to pay his bill, I'd say don't turn in the name --- but when a hospital demands the federal government bail it out for the 20th time, it's time to send in some information. The non-payers should never be given legal residency, guest worker status, amnesty, or citizenship --- we don't need the deadbeats.
Hey Congressman Drier! What is wrong with deportation? If they're here illegally then they should be deported. Simple. Period.
I know a woman who brought in an illegal maid/nanny about every year --- probably at least 20 over a couple decades. First her theory was the younger ones would work better --- but they'd get pregnant after a few months, work until she had to drive them over to the county hospital to give birth and then of course they never needed to work again. Then she tried older ones but they too would end up sick, one appeared to go downhill quite fast --- probably cancer --- but she too was dumped in front of the county hospital and replaced with a fresh one. This woman just claimed to have very bad luck with her maids but it was always the taxpayers who ended up paying for them. I think it would be very very good if the illegal had to turn in the name of their employer --- and have that information verified and then treat that debt like the debt of Americans who can't afford their hospital bill --- many of the employers of illegals are quite well off --- they can afford to pay, but they would rather not.
| Rep. David Drier, R-Calif., who heads the powerful Rules Committee, opposes the bill, and there is no version pending in the Senate. "My concern is that it will send a message to many people that the threat of deportation is on the horizon," Drier said.
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"Doggett said the proposal would turn doctors and hospital officials into border patrol agents, a move that would take too much attention from their regular duties."
Well, that 50 million they spend on the care would go a long way to pay for some employees to do that. AND those doctors don't do ANY of the paperwork of incoming patients.
LA County, in one year, spends $300M on uncompensated illegal alien ER care. $1B is chump change.
re: The proposal also requires illegal immigrants receiving care to name their employer, so the medical bill could be sent there instead of to Washington. )))
I *love* this part of the bill. But landlords ought to be included--go after those who rent to illegals. Employers and landlords--we could get this problem under control without the apocalyptic "round 'em up in cattle cars" garbage. Go after the Americans who profit from the slave trade.
Re: Doggett said the proposal would turn doctors and hospital officials into border patrol agents, a move that would take too much attention from their regular duties )))
I heartily detest Doggett, but I'm afraid he's right on this one. We cannot afford to turn hospital personnel into cops, it's too expensive and they won't do it well--LET OUR COPS BE COPS.
David Drier is a blown-dry flake and has proven a total disappointment.
I'd love to see this pass !
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