Posted on 01/10/2007 6:36:38 PM PST by Sopater
OLYMPIA — Republican lawmakers are protesting a proposal by Gov. Christine Gregoire and Democratic lawmakers to expand state-funded health coverage for children of illegal immigrants.
"They're not even citizens," said Rep. Bill Hinkle of Cle Elum, the ranking Republican on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
Hinkle said it doesn't make sense to cover illegal immigrants when there are so many other shortcomings in the state's health-care system.
"This just drives folks back home nuts," he said.
But the move is drawing widespread praise from hospitals, doctors and children's advocates.
"In our opinion, every child should have medical coverage and be able to get medical care," said Jon Gould, deputy director of the Children's Alliance. "We shouldn't play politics with children."
Cassie Sauer, spokeswoman for the Washington State Hospital Association, said hospitals are required to treat any child who comes in with a medical emergency. If that child happens to be an uninsured immigrant, the costs simply get passed on as a "hidden tax" to other patients who have insurance, she said.
It's far less expensive, Sauer said, to include those kids in health programs that provide basic preventive care, such as immunizations.
"If you intervene early in a child's sickness, you can usually get them back on track pretty easily," Sauer said. "If you wait too long, then you can be dealing with really serious issues."
The federal government doesn't allow states to cover illegal immigrants under Medicaid, a state-federal health program for the poor. Legal immigrants are required to wait five years before they can get coverage.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
HAHAHAHAHAHAH......stupid voters.....
Face it, the politicians are selling out American citizens for illegal aliens.
They care more for Mexico's citizens than they do American citizens who they are supposed to represent.
WE ARE DOOMED if we continue to battle over such obvious injustices. This is a story that deserves a great big DUH! next to it. The American people are being desensitized on a daily basis with stories like this. We SHOULD NOT even be discussing the possibility of such a thing! Socialism takes root in small increments. In NY, they don't allow trans-fats in foods. Soon it will be sodium etc. There is no end!
I was in a hurry......what most people also do NOT know, that I found when working to repeal the state's DEATH TAX....is that the Education Dept is paying for lots of stuff for illegal kids.
ping
Lets all just pay for free health care for the whole world. Can anyone imagine what it will be like after we get another 200 to 300 million more illegals. Opps, I forgot, they are going to make it all legal.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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