Study: Illegal immigrants' care costs state [or Texas] $677 million

Houston Chronicle ^ | December 11, 2009 | Janet Elliott

[Zakeet]

The state of Texas and local hospital districts spent an estimated $677 million to provide health care to illegal immigrants in a year, a new study says.

The survey, issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said that most of the money — $597 million — was spent by local hospital districts for the immigrants' care during the state's fiscal year that ended on Aug. 31, 2007.

Lawmakers from both parties said they were not surprised by the millions spent and expressed hope that the report, required by the 2007 Legislature, will help prompt Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, said the study only tells half of the story.

He noted that the immigrants contribute to government coffers by paying sales and property taxes.

The report said that in the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2008, the state spent $80 million under the Texas Emergency Medicaid program, which pays hospitals to provide life-saving care, including labor and delivery services, to patients living here illegally. The state also paid $1.2 million to provide services to undocumented immigrants in family violence shelters.

Federal law requires hospitals and ambulance services to provide care to anyone needing emergency treatment regardless of their citizenship, legal status or ability to pay.

[SwinneySwitch]

Cornyn got a B+ on the NumbersUSA Immigration Report Card

KBH had a C+

My Dem miembro del Congreso had an F!

Have you seen any Obama NADA pesos yet?

[flattorney]

FlAttorney’s FR “Straight Talk”
U.S. Congress Members Detailed Positions, Ratings, & Report Cards

It could be worse......

Florida Senators' Immigration Issues Grades:
Mel Martinez(R): D (1)
Bill Nelson(D): D-

(1) RINO cry baby Martinez will not seek reelection in 2010. He thinks U.S. Congress and many local "power Floridians" are being unfair as to illegals rights. And to think that Bush made Mel RNC co-chair. Disgusting! ~ TAB

[SwinneySwitch]

Senator Cornyn Leads Opposition to Auto Bailout

http://www.texasgop.org/site/PageServer

Sen. Cornyn does not support the bill in its current form because he’s not prepared to ask Texas taxpayers to subsidize corporate executives and labor unions who refuse to reform and restructure the auto industry. He does believe there is a way forward for the domestic auto industry to be viable and competitive but simply giving three companies another taxpayer handout is not the answer. It simply kicks the can down the road, puts off the tough decisions for another day and leaves taxpayers on the hook for $15 billion in federal debt.

[Kimberly GG]

“Lawmakers from both parties said they were not surprised by the millions spent and expressed hope that the report, required by the 2007 Legislature, will help prompt Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.”

Exactly HOW is giving them amnesty going to be the solution to this problem???? No matter whether they are illegals or become legals on welfare, that 677 million is still coming out of tax payer money.

[socialismisinsidious]

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