Illegal Aliens and Health Care Reform: Will They Receive Taxpayer Funded Healthcare?

Smoke and Mirrors. That is the term that comes to mind reading all the information available on the Health Care Reform proposals. No matter your political leanings, it is wise to be cognizant of the fact that the proponents of Obama's ideas regarding health care reform truly want you to know only what they want you to know. Smoke and Mirrors. I believe it is important to have a full understanding of the intentions of the proponents of these bills. In order to gain that insight, however, you'll have to look beyond the glib assurances proponents of the plan give so easily. Buyer Beware.

Currently, there are two prominent bills being discussed. The House version of the bill is entitled "America's Affordable Health Choice Act of 2900" or HR3200. This is the 1,000 page proposed bill that had citizens up in arms and flooding Town Hall meetings with their representatives to voice their opposition this past summer. You can get a better understanding here of Obama's ideas for health care reform and particularly the public option. The second bill being discussed is the $856 billion Senate version, otherwise known as the Baucus Health Care Reform. This article will deal only with the topic of illegal aliens as it relates to the proposed health care bills, specifically HR3200.

The question is simple enough. If HR 3200 is passed as written, will illegal aliens receive taxpayer funded healthcare? Proponents of HR3200 say no, opponents say yes...which is it? Obama and other proponents of HR3200 point to Section 246 which states" (n)othing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States." You can read Section 246 here starting on page 143, line 3. If you take this section at face value, you would arrive at the conclusion that illegal aliens are not covered by the plan. Let's look deeper and you will soon discover that, in fact, Section 246 is nothing more than a veiled attempt at telling you one thing while completely covering up their underlying intentions.

Illegal aliens and Health Care Reform Item of Misinformation #1

Do you see those two words "affordability credits" in the above written Section 246? This is the key to understanding this blatant piece of misinformation. Affordability credits are for people who enroll in private health insurance plans! The credits can be used to offset the cost of their private health insurance coverage. In the plan as written, illegal aliens are not barred from enrolling the in the public option funded by taxpayers. Dean Heller (R-NV) attempted to close this loophole by requiring anyone attempting to enroll in the public option or seek affordability credits be required to verify their income eligibility and alien status. Heller's amendment was rejected on a party line vote. See how this smoke and mirrors works?

Illegal aliens and Health Care Reform Item of Misinformation #2

Next, you need to read Section 242(a)(2) beginning on page133, line 10. Here you will find another loophole that could render Section 246 null and void. Section 242(a)(2) reads "members of the same family...shall be treated as a single affordable credit individual eligible." If an illegal alien crosses the border and gives birth to a child in the United States, under section 242(a)(2), she could now be eligible for benefits paid in full by the United States taxpayer. Don't you just love loopholes?

Here is my advice to those concerned about the Health Care Reform plans being discussed. Never believe a politician. Do your own research because as you will so easily find, politicians have a way of telling you one thing and doing another.

Sources:

Read the full bill here and be sure to specifically read Sections 246 and 242(a)(2).

FAIR, Federation for American Immigration Reform has the most comprehensive analysis of the illegal alien question. You can read their complete analysis here.