(Medicare) Bill includes $1 billion for immigrant care

El Paso Times ^ | November 22, 2003 | Sergio Bustos

[FITZ]

WASHINGTON -- Landmark Medicare legislation moving through Congress would give hospitals at least $1 billion during the next four years to cover the spiraling costs of providing emergency services for undocumented immigrants.

The provision would be particularly crucial for hospitals near the U.S.-Mexico border, including hospitals in El Paso.

The House was expected to vote on the Medicare measure today. A Senate vote may not come until Monday.

"We're keeping our fingers crossed," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

Kyl is the author of the original legislation to reimburse hospitals, and he persuaded lawmakers to include the money in the $395 billion Medicare bill. He was among a small group of lawmakers who negotiated the controversial bill, which would create a prescription drug benefit for the first time since Medicare was enacted in 1965.

Kyl spent the week fighting off attempts by other lawmakers to remove the $1 billion from the bill.

That battle is far from over. Some House members, led by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., a vocal critic of immigration policy, have threatened to vote against the bill solely because of Kyl's provision. He called it a "billion-dollar boon for illegal aliens," charging that the provision would encourage more illegal immigration.

A borderwide study released last year found that undocumented immigrants racked up $190 million in unpaid bills at 77 border hospitals in 2000.

[Kuksool]

We need to remind our politicans that this is the United States of America, not the People's Republic of Aztlan. Vincente Fox does not have the final say in American policy.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

take me off the immigration list please...just WAYYYY to many articles. Almost SPAM like

[texastoo]

So far as I am concerned, there is not enough articles on illegal immigration. I had no earthly idea that our cowardly Republican congressmen would aid illegal aliens through Medicare. I know the illegals have their own separate Emergency medicaid bill that pays all their health care for FREEEE. I always thought Medicare was for senior citiZens but now it looks like it is also for illegal aliens.

What a country!!!

Excuse me. I should say "What a Continent" as it looks like we are no longer a country.

[JustPiper]

Done but if we care about this issue, we can't be apathetic to its volume -g-

[Kuksool]

I want in. Thanks.

[flamefront]

Money thrown at a "FEDERAL" problem. The hospitals bleed cash. And this is the response. But even Arnold is requesting the same relief. Ironic.

[janetgreen]

If that had happened two weeks ago, JackelopeBreeder would be dead today.

Thank God JB got the care he received. All medical bills for illegal aliens should be sent to Vicente Fox. America should not have to subsidize medical care for Mexico.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

easy now bub, I care, but me getting 20 pings a freaken DAY isnt going to solve the immigration issue!

[HiJinx]

JP, I've updated my copy of the ping list for both of these requests.

HJ

[texastoo]

Could you give me the name of the hospital in Cochise County that JB first went to?

I am just doing a little research on the profits of these corporations in Texas. I am just curious to know who owns the Cochise hospital.

[HiJinx]

Click here to visit their home page. It looks like they aren't owned by a large outfit, the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center is it's own business...

[texastoo]

Ping

I really hate to ping anyone to this thread as it makes my blood boil.

[Missouri]

That battle is far from over. Some House members, led by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., a vocal critic of immigration policy, have threatened to vote against the bill solely because of Kyl's provision. He called it a "billion-dollar boon for illegal aliens," charging that the provision would encourage more illegal immigration

I sure hope Tancredo can stop this insanity. Maybe he can pull another rabbit out of his hat.

Heard a good illegal story. A guy I work with told me that he went to eat at a mexican resturant down where he lives. Of coarse, the workers were all hispanic ( easily noticed since our state is mostly white or black ). When he left he drove around to the back of the resturant and noticed about 10 bikes. We figured that the workers were probably illegals who can not get legal drivers licenses here in Missouri and had to ride bikes to work. I figured that this is good. If we can't get our government to remove these lawbreakers, we should make the illegals as uncomfortable as possible. This we can do at the state level. We need to start bragging about our states if they are as "illegal UN-friendly" as possibly.

Thanks for the heads up.

[JustPiper]

Thank goodness you da boss, for my list is personal buds, tis all -g-

[JustPiper]

easy now bub

Bub? LOL! Boob -g-

[cherylm]

On the contrary,undocumented aliens do indeed pay taxes.Let me enlighten you a little on the subject.They use fake social security cards (as well as fake green cards)to obtain jobs in factories,restaurants and lots other places.I know of a chain rest. that employs nothing but Mexicans in their kitchens.(they would serve, but most do not speak English).Now,when tax time comes Uncle Sam does indeed take out taxes on every illegal who has used a SS# to obtain their job. (fake or not) but in Jan. or Feb. when you and i are collecting our refund checks,these people who have obtained their jobs/ fake papers obviously cannot file a return on a fake #!!!!so, we all pay taxes but,Americans get refunds and Mexicans do not>

[cherylm]

On the contrary,undocumented aliens do indeed pay taxes.Let me enlighten you a little on the subject.They use fake social security cards (as well as fake green cards)to obtain jobs in factories,restaurants and lots other places.I know of a chain rest. that employs nothing but Mexicans in their kitchens.(they would serve, but most do not speak English).Now,when tax time comes Uncle Sam does indeed take out taxes on every illegal who has used a SS# to obtain their job. (fake or not) but in Jan. or Feb. when you and i are collecting our refund checks,these people who have obtained their jobs/ fake papers obviously cannot file a return on a fake #!!!!so, we all pay taxes but,Americans get refunds and Mexicans do not>

[Mamzelle]

re: The twice wounded and decorated Korean War vet I worked with couldn't get that kind of treatment. )))

Hey, veterans of the Iraq war won't get that kind of treatment. Remember how helpful Vicente was with Iraq?

But Iraq vets will get to compete with illegal labor for entry-level jobs.

How'd ya like them apples?

[cherylm]

Deport the bums? It costs alot of money to deport just one bus load of Mexicans.Ever considered the fact that as soon as they get back home, every one of them will go to their families, and their friends and say "Well, i now know how to get past the border and am leaving again tonight.who's w/ me"? I had never considered it, until an illegal himself told me that thats exatly what happens.We send one home, they bring 10 more back w/ them.They are laughing at us for that.

[jimt]

A borderwide study released last year found that undocumented immigrants racked up $190 million in unpaid bills at 77 border hospitals in 2000.

I'll bet they suck up more than that in Houston alone.