Congressional Research Service Says Illegal Aliens CAN Receive Benefits Under House Health Care Bill

So much for politicians’ denials that illegal aliens would be able to receive benefits under HR 3200, the House Health Care Bill. Congressional research arm The Congressional Research Service confirms that under this governmental-control mechanism masquerading as “health insurance reform”, illegals WILL have access to benefits.

The report, Treatment of Noncitizens in H.R. 3200, states:

“H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens – whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently – participating in the Exchange.” H.R. 3200 establishes a Health Insurance Exchange which would provide individuals and small businesses with access to health care plans, including the “public option” to be managed by the government.

The CRS also confirms that the House bill does not include a mechanism to prevent illegal aliens from receiving “affordability credits” to subsidize the purchase of private health insurance. CRS specifically noted the absence “of a provision in the bill specifying the verification procedure.” Because the language is ambiguous, all the CRS could reasonably conclude is that any eligibility determination would be the responsibility of the “Health Choices Commissioner”.

Congressional supporters of the bill have denied for weeks that illegal aliens could receive benefits under the bill. These denials were echoed by countless media and health care “experts” who dismissed public concerns as myths, or worse– politically orchestrated attacks.

The House Ways & Means Committee had the opportunity to include language that would have barred illegal aliens from enrolling in the proposed public option or receiving the affordability credits, but chose not to. In fact, no GOP amendments were approved. An amendment offered by Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) would have applied the same eligibility verification procedures for coverage that have been used for years to prove eligibility for Medicaid. That amendment was rejected by a party-line vote.

Based on its own findings and those of CRS, FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) is calling on Congress to:

* Adopt clear language that makes illegal aliens (and non-immigrants) ineligible for enrollment in publicly funded or subsidized health insurance programs.
* Require electronic eligibility verification for any health care reform proposal through the existing Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system.
* Maintain a five-year eligibility waiting period for legal immigrants to ensure that individuals don’t come to the U.S. and immediately tap the system.

FAIR President Dan Stein says

“For the past month, irate citizens, concerned that their tax dollars will be used to fund health care for illegal aliens, have been unfairly portrayed as uninformed rabble by their elected representatives and a host of media organizations,” said Stein. “It is time for the politicians to close the loopholes, and for the media establishment to acknowledge that they got it wrong.”

You know the drill. Contact your Representatives and let them know in no uncertain terms that the lies about Obamacare must stop. The entire bill needs to be torched, and the effort needs to start from scratch…this time with sanity.

If you are going to a Town Hall, (and now may be the most effective time to go as the Dem-spin is charging into overdrive) PLEASE ask your Rep about this. Chances are, he or she will deny these facts. Enlighten them.

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