Thread: TX: Bill denying citizenship to U.S.-born babies would cost

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6127040

Bill denying citizenship to U.S.-born babies would cost state

HOUSTON -- A Texas legislator wants to challenge the right to automatic U.S. citizenship for babies born to illegal immigrants, cutting them off from receiving state health and education benefits.


But the bill sponsored by State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, that would deny birthright citizenship to those children could end up putting a heavier financial burden on already-overwhelmed public hospitals, increase costs to local taxpayers and create a population of children who do not receive basic medical care or immunizations, state and local health officials said.

One of every four births at public hospitals in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth are to illegal immigrant mothers, officials estimate. The mothers' obstetrics costs are covered through a special Medicaid program. As U.S. citizens, the babies qualify for Medicaid or CHIPS coverage.

If the infants are denied automatic citizenship, however, thousands might not qualify for state or federal reimbursement programs _ saddling the public hospitals with the extra costs, said King Hillier, vice president of public policy and government relations with the Harris County Hospital District, which includes Houston. "They would further exacerbate the problem of the uninsured in the state."

Public hospitals are already grappling with the contradictory problems of carrying out their mandate to treat those in need, while finding a way to pay mounting health care bills.

Under the law that created hospital districts in Texas, public hospitals must provide health care to any county resident in need of treatment, including those who might be in the country illegally. But they get limited reimbursement from the federal and state government, leaving counties shouldering most of the costs.

In 2005, Harris County officials estimate, the district treated 57,072 illegal immigrants _ about 20 percent of all patients. The total cost for treating illegal immigrants was $128 million, but the hospital district received only $28 million in reimbursements from the federal and state governments. The patients paid about $3 million.

The hospital district was left with the rest of the bill: $97 million, or 14 percent of the district's total operating expenses.

Only 8.8 percent of those patients were treated in the emergency room; the rest went to outpatient clinics or community health centers. Of the patients who were illegal immigrants, 84 percent were women; and most were pregnant women receiving prenatal or maternity care.

Approximately 8,000 babies were born to illegal immigrants in the Harris County Hospital District last year. At Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, about 11,000 births were to illegal immigrants.

"People without insurance are walking on a tightrope. When they get sick, it's like a freefall without a parachute. We are the safety net that catches them," said David Lopez, president of the Harris County Hospital District, who says the district will not turn patients away because of immigration status.

A federal reimbursement program that began in 2005 distributes $250 million each year for emergency care for illegal immigrants. In 2005, Texas got about $47 million. But the program does not compensate the hospitals for outpatient treatment for chronically ill patients or preventive and prenatal care.

Berman blames illegal immigrants for the financial crisis facing public hospitals, and says his bill would deter those who want to enter the country illegally.

"The benefit that illegal aliens have of checking into a hospital and receiving prenatal care, then having a child rewarded with U.S. citizenship is the most lucrative benefit they can have," Berman said. "I'm a U.S. citizen. I don't want to see the most precious benefit we have given away erroneously."

Even if it is approved by the Texas Legislature, Berman's bill could face a court challenge because it seeks to overturn a federal policy. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868.

"This goes against the foundation of our country. We were founded on the fact that we would never create a second class citizenry," said Jennifer Ng'andu, a senior health policy analyst with the National Council of La Raza. "Beyond that, it is making a distinction about which children should have access to care. Is that really serving the best public interest?"

Studies have shown that illegal immigrants and their children use medical services at a lower rate than native-born Americans. If the Berman measure passes, said Ng'andu, those numbers would likely drop even further, with more children not getting needed medical care, including immunizations.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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One of every four births at public hospitals in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth are to illegal immigrant mothers, officials estimate.

This is EXACTLY why we need to stop giving them citizenship!

Studies have shown that illegal immigrants and their children use medical services at a lower rate than native-born Americans.

IF true, so what, I PAY for MY medical services AND THEIRS!

But the bill sponsored by State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, that would deny birthright citizenship to those children could end up putting a heavier financial burden on already-overwhelmed public hospitals, increase costs to local taxpayers and create a population of children who do not receive basic medical care or immunizations, state and local health officials said.

The hospitals would no longer get federal funding for illegals and yes the financial burden would shift to local communities. Over 80 hospitals have closed in Cali, guess all that federal funding did not help them out much. As for illegal alien children, well if we cut off anchor baby benefits that will cease to be a problem. They will no longer roll themselves across the border at 9 months gestation to birth an American citizen as there would be no benefit to doing so.

For crying out loud, we have to stop somewhere or go broke, probably most of these babies would not even come about if the parents knew they would not get health care of free citizenship, this is the only reason for these people to keep dropping these children in our country. When these people are deported, they do not even think about taking these children with them, no, it is On MY God, you are tearing this family apart by deporting their mothers and fathers, hump, those who have active fathers that is,they are not concerned with taking these children back to Mexico with them cannot anyone understand that? These babies are just what they are, anchor babies, nothing else, like poor little Saul, used brutally by his poor mother, to try to keep her butt , here in America! I could tear my hair out, what little I have left lol.