No, it has not been a "HT" issue for many years, that's BS!
I will grant you this though, I have missed it, as the rest of America has for a long time, but 911 changed all that!
The whole southern health care system was decimated by illegals for many many years before GW. It was a hot topic issue and most people were aware of it, including Newt, who IGNORED overhauling our immigration system.