Thread: Dems query Obama's view on immigrant health care

Dems query Obama's view on immigrant health care

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, The Associated Press
6:39 p.m. September 15, 2009

WASHINGTON — House Democrats want the White House to clarify its tougher new position that illegal immigrants can't buy insurance with their own money from a government-created marketplace.

The White House said last week that President Barack Obama will oppose allowing illegal immigrants to buy insurance through the purchasing exchanges, including from participating private companies. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that is what Obama intended all along. Also, a system would be created to verify people buying from the exchange are in the country legally, he said.

"I'm not sure if Gibbs misspoke," Rep. Xavier Becerra, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said Tuesday.

Asked to clarify Gibbs' comments, White House spokeswoman Gannett Tseaggai repeated the White House view that undocumented immigrants would not be allowed to purchase health care insurance on the exchange.
Democrats said the health care proposals were to bar undocumented immigrants from getting any tax-supported subsidies to buy health insurance, but not prevent them from using their own money to buy private insurance.

The proposed exchange would allow consumers and small businesses to shop for insurance and compare prices in a regulated, competitive environment.

"There's a consensus undocumented will not be able to have any subsidies. To deny those undocumented folks who could afford private insurance plans to do so, what's the rationale?" said Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

One of the points of health care reform is to reduce the use of emergency rooms by the uninsured, Honda said. "Those undocumented immigrants who are working and buying their own health insurance, why would you want to get involved in that? All that will happen is they will become clients of the emergency room," he said.

Becerra said the White House has been an active participant in writing the House bill that did not include the ban Gibbs mentioned.

"I'm not sure what the White House is doing with this. Shadow boxing helps no one," Becerra said.

The White House said illegal immigrants could use their own money to buy coverage from the few private insurance companies that will still sell insurance outside the exchange.

Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, sees the White House view as an admission Democrats were providing coverage for illegal immigrants.

His comments followed a House vote to rebuke Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., for yelling "You lie" at Obama when the president spoke to Congress last week and said his health care reform proposals do not apply to people in the country illegally.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=166478

It seems that Obama probably plans on giving the illegals amnesty so they wont be illegals but poor ( they will continue to get paid under the table) Americans that will get "free" health care via our tax dollars.

Originally Posted by ELE

It seems that Obama probably plans on giving the illegals amnesty so they wont be illegals but poor ( they will continue to get paid under the table) Americans that will get "free" health care via our tax dollars.

I fear that is true...but I think we need to hold on to the ground that we are taking from the pro-OBL forces. Obama is now calling them illegal aliens, and not undocumented immigrants, so he is sensing the pressure. Hopefully this trend will continue in Congress. Gotta keep the blue dogs on our side and not let media flare-ups, such as with Rep Wilson, make them turn on us. Obama's opinion and direction can still carry a lot of weight in Congress until he gets totally discredited. This is a smart man we are dealing with.

I am sick and tired of this debate .
We want illegal alien economic terrorists out of our country .
Thats it . This debate only seems to validate them to continue breaking the law by even being here .
They have no rights to anything , and no right even being here .
I have had enough of this nonsense .
Get them out and keep them out then the debate will be about America taking care of Americans .

Added to Homepage with slightly amended title:
http://www.alipac.us/article-4515--0-0.html

Originally Posted by airdale

I am sick and tired of this debate .
We want illegal alien economic terrorists out of our country .
Thats it . This debate only seems to validate them to continue breaking the law by even being here .
They have no rights to anything , and no right even being here .
I have had enough of this nonsense .
Get them out and keep them out then the debate will be about America taking care of Americans .

Well said!!!