Posted on 05/21/2008 5:29:06 PM PDT by pissant
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) is backing the renewal of a $250 million-a-year program that will pay illegal immigrants’ hospital bills.
The very idea that McCain is again supporting a program that some view as rewarding illegal immigrants is certain to attract attention from the same conservatives he’s trying to win over for the White House.
The measure, which would reimburse hospitals for the cost of treating illegal immigrants, has broad support from both parties, including from some immigration hardliners and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).
Even some of McCain’s toughest critics on immigration admit it is a relatively benign program. But McCain’s association with it underscores his rift on immigration with the right wing, which sees him as championing amnesty for illegal immigrants.
“It’s another reminder that he’s ‘Amnesty John,’ ” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the conservative Center for Immigration Studies, who nevertheless has no major objection to the proposal. “It’s another reminder of his role in promoting not just amnesty but promoting illegal immigration in the first place.”
An aide to McCain said the Arizona Republican stands by his position.
Federal law forbids hospitals from turning anyone away from emergency rooms, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for care. Hospitals have been complaining for a decade about the increasing financial burden they bear treating illegal immigrants. Congress responded by creating this funding stream in 2003; it is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year.
McCain is not alone in supporting the program. Sens. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), who are illegal immigration hardliners, also support it.
Yet McCain sponsored legislation with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) that would offer a path to citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants. This damaged his credibility with conservatives, and they do not trust him on the issue.
Though the bill did not pass, many conservatives view the McCain-Kennedy legislation as a black mark on McCain’s record.
McCain adopted a harder stance on the campaign trail as his primary opponents painted him as soft on the issue. Since he emerged from the field as the GOP’s presumptive nominee, McCain has steered clear of immigration whenever possible.
Some staunch immigration reformers detest the hospital-funding program as a giveaway to lawbreakers. Conservatives like Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) maintain that hospitals should be required to ask patients about their immigration status to identify people in the country illegally.
The hospital industry and many lawmakers, especially those from border states, say the funding is critical to keep the facilities open. Hospitals and ambulance services in Southwest border states provided more than $200 million in free emergency care to illegal immigrants in 2000, according to a study commissioned by Congress.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I have a better idea. How about no health care (absolutely none, zip, nada) for Illegals. Instead charter busses, if necessary, to take them back to the border and sove them over to their own side. We owe these people absolutely nothing. We have Americans who do without medical care and charity should start at home. I am sick of these generous bleeding heart politicians who feel good doing their good deeds with other people’s money.
sove = shove.
He should be haunted by those who are murdered and raped by illegals, those who have lost their jobs because of illegals, those who don't get the medical attention they should because their neighborhood hospital closed because of illegals and the children who are not getting the education they should because of illegals.
Do you suppose McCain ever thinks about them?
Like a snake,McCain is always true to his nature.I look at the candidates for President this year and I think I know how the good citizens of Rome must have felt.(Just before the whole society fell apart)
McCain obviously isn't trying to attract anyone but Independents. ...the political center. He figures that given B-HO's ultra-left creds there's a big chuck of them to be had, and he's right. He also figures fear of B-HO will get conservatives to the ballot box no matter what, so siding with illegal aliens (as he has always done) done won't hurt him much at all.
not one freakin’ bit unless it is guessing just how many of the savages are gonna vote for him.
He should have been forced to call the soldier and mother serving in Iraq to tell her that her son had been murdered by an illegal alien.
McCain isn’t willing to assume responsibility for his decisions,much less the consequences of those decisions.
McCain’s positions have been flaunted for decades.
Hey, Team Juan shills! Tell us again abour how your boy has "heard America" on the subject of illegal immigration!
Tell us again how he's really "a fiscal conservative!"
Oh geesh, *snicker*. I am sure I would not hold my breath for the preprogrammed responses from the McBots.
I am sure the McBots are actually Obama supporters, they are doin’ it for Barry. Do it for Barry.
Sounds like something I have heard befo’.
Hey bj you haven’t posted any McCain propaganda recently.
Come over and defend this POS.
McCain once again shows his Socialist nature.
Which of the three stooges do we vote for, Moe McCain, Curly Obama or Shemp Clinton?
Earlier today someone who is a McCain fan posted that they hope John would come out soon with a no-gay marriage amendment.
Perhaps we’ll find out his position on that tomorrow. He shuns much conservative talk radio, but tomorrow he’s going live on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. CBS, Wednesday, 4 p.m. Pacific.
The big “Ellen” news this week is her announcement to marry her long time girlfriend per California deciding to sanction such unions.
I’ll be watching. Popcorn anyone?
You’ll have to watch for me. I can’t possibly sit down to watch Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil or any other daytime idiot without losing my lunch.
Ah sheesh, please, I believe I won’t be home at the time. Thank heavens.
Tomorrow Juan will champion gay marriage.
I cannot stands no more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.