Space Amendment: No Health Care Benefits for Illegal Aliens
By JOSELYN KING POSTED: July 31, 2009



WHEELING - U.S. Rep. Zack Space has added a proposal to the public health care debate that would bar illegal immigrants from receiving government-funded health benefits.

Meanwhile, he and other so-called "Blue Dog" Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee continue to negotiate with House leadership to craft a health care reform bill.

"I am preparing an amendment to make it clear that this legislation is not designed to benefit those persons who are undocumented," Space, D-Ohio, said during a conference call Thursday. "It should benefit only those who are American citizens.

"There has been a lot of concern among the public about this issue, and I want to make sure the beneficiaries of this legislation are tax-paying Americans."

Under his amendment, those applying for government-funded health insurance would have to show proof of citizenry - just as is currently required by those receiving Medicare, according to Space.

The House leadership wants the health care legislation completed before Congress adjourned for August recess, but this time frame had been in doubt as the some members have pushed for more time. Still, the bill could be ready this weekend, Space said.

"It's been a busy week ... a stressful week ... but also a very fruitful one," he said. "We began the markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee, and we will continue until it is complete. That may be (today), that may be Saturday, that may be even Sunday.

"As it now stands ... this will go a long way toward meeting the concerns of rural Ohio."

Space has pushed for higher Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals in rural areas to be included as part of any health care reform. This is because many hospitals in East Ohio have a higher percentage of elderly patients, and cuts in what they receive for providing treatment through Medicare and Medicaid can severely impact their bottom lines, according to Space.

Any cuts also could force some medical clinics and facilities to shut down, leaving many rural areas without access to basic health care, he continued.

Overall, the proposed health care reforms before Congress will benefit Americans, he said.

"These changes will allow those rural hospitals to continue to provide quality care," he said. "They also will help protect small businesses. They will begin to bring down the cost curve, and address the rising cost of health care generally.

"And this bill is deficit neutral. The cost of the bill will actually come down over time."

Most experts have placed the cost of health care reform at more than $1 trillion over the next decade.

On Thursday, Space admitted that he was surprised by the short time frame that was given lawmakers to craft the reform legislation.

"And I was not alone," he said. "I believe the public feels like I do.

"Given the significance of this legislation, it should require a deliberate, thoughtful process. I felt strongly we needed more time to digest this - with what the bill entails. That was a major part of the discussion."


http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/co ... 26635.html