Thread: Agency to consider prenatal care for undocumented immigrants

Board Votes To Provide Care Prenatal Care To Illegal Immigrants
AP - 10/11/2007 5:48 PM - Updated 10/11/2007 6:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Members of the board of Oklahoma Health Care Authority voted 6-1 on Thursday for a rule that will allow the agency to pay for the prenatal care of illegal immigrants.

Governor Brad Henry said he will sign the emergency rule, which was adopted with no debate during a board meeting in Ada. Henry said it would make newborns healthier and save taxpayers money over time.

The sponsor of a 2007 law to crack down on illegal immigration, Representative Randy Terrill, called the new rule illegal.

``I'm disappointed, but not surprised,'' Terrill said. ``They've been pushing this agenda for almost two years now.''

The Moore Republican said he would ask the attorney general for a legal opinion on whether the health care agency exceeded its authority in adopting the rule.

Paul Sund, spokesman for Henry, said the rule is similar to rules in effect in a dozen states, including Arkansas and Texas.

``Governor Henry believes this is a pro-life, pro-health proposal,'' Sund said. ``Prenatal care encourages expectant mothers to carry their babies to term and ensures that those children, who are U.S. citizens and Oklahoma citizens, get a healthy start on life.''

Jan Figar of the Family Health Coalition in Tulsa spoke in favor of the rule during the OHCA meeting. She said her agency provides services to pregnant illegal immigrants and is overburdened.

Lyle Roggow, chairman of the OHCA board, cast the only vote against the rule. Roggow is one of three board members appointed by Henry. Roggow said he was looking out for taxpayers' interests.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan praised the OHCA action.

``Anyone who questions the decision by the OHCA to offer this fair shot at life to innocent children is sending a dangerous and hypocritical message that they do not embrace a culture of life,'' Morgan said.

http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=137751

We already do...in Texas it's called the Lone Star Card!

Originally Posted by sgt_shlitz

Next thing you know, we'll be footing the bill for the dinner & drinks as well.

This is common in Texas, I should know I worked at a place where their applications were filled out. Not only Mexicans but Central and S. Americans.

I had a coworker from California that there they had Koreans flying in to have their child here. By having their child here they would not have to do mandatory military service in Korea.

Originally Posted by fedupDeb

Is there no end to this madness? A woman can get pregnant in Mexico, cross the border, and receive "free" prenatal care.

Come One...Come All!!

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT.

I just sent a message to the governor asking him NOT to sign this rule. This undermines the new laws taking effect Nov 1. There is a loophole, though, if it's actually in the rule: "as long as the child will be a U.S. citizen." We need to be overwhelming our Senators with letters, faxes and e-mail insisting they introduce legislation to repeal the ancho baby laws so that these children are not U.S. citizens. Illegal immigrants don't just need to get jobs, they need to go back to their country and work to improve their lot there. I'm really sick of the "anyone who questions . . . is sending a dangerous and hypocritical message" crap. As a taxpayer, I have a right to question at the top of my lungs! And the Oklahoma taxpayer only paying 1/3 or the cost is also a bunch of crap. We pay Federal taxes too! How stupid do they think we are? They talk about Federal tax dollars like it's manna from heaven and has nothing to do with us - it's all about OUR tax dollars, Federal, State and local.