Shamnesty Watch: S-CHIP loophole - New health care benefits for illegal aliens?

Michelle Malkin ^ | September 25, 2007 | Michelle Malkin

[3AngelaD]

I’m getting several heads-up e-mails about a loophole in the recently House-passed S-CHIP bill that might create a new path for illegal alien health care benefits. One Hill staffer writes:

"Many people are saying during conference the conferees fixed the illegal immigration issues that pertain to the House-passed SCHIP bill by adopting the Senate language which said the Social Security Administration (SSA) will verify citizenship status. I do not see that as being the case after reading Title II Subtitle B. Having the state submit names and SS#’s to the SSA does not close the loophole! All SSA can do is verify that the SS# is a valid SS# or not. This does not prove that someone is in the US legally. Illegal immigrants can still use a stolen valid SS#’s to get benefits—just as they do to gain illegal employment. The only way to guard against illegal immigrants from getting benefits is for them to show immigration documents—not SS#’s!

"Additionally, Title VI Section 605 reads as follows: “No Federal Funding for Illegal Aliens. This section clarifies that nothing under this Act allows Federal funding to be spent on illegal aliens.” I feel this text is worthless if they are just checking SS#’s because there is no true verification of immigration status."

Here’s a Dear Colleague letter sent today by Rep. Nathan Deal:

"Dear Colleague,

"Later today, the Democratic Leadership will ask you to vote on a deeply flawed bill that seeks to spend billions of taxpayer-funded dollars to facilitate the enrollment of illegal aliens onto the rolls of the Medicaid Program. In fact, by overturning the existing federal requirement that States document the citizenship status and identity of individuals applying for public assistance under the Medicaid program, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates federal taxpayers will be forced to spend an additional $3.7 billion over the next ten years. When you add the required State-level spending, this results in a total $6.5 billion being spent on individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be qualified to receive these benefits.

"H.R. 976 defrauds the American taxpayer out of billions of dollars by allowing States to use Social Security Numbers in the place of documents that actually prove citizenship status and identity. In response to this ridiculous provision, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) had the following response: “A Social Security card (or having a valid SSN) does not denote citizenship, and is not useful for determining citizenship status . . . Social Security cards issued to noncitizens who are residing permanently in the United States are identical to those issued to U.S. citizens. In addition, aliens who are in the United States temporarily are also eligible for valid SSNs...

"In a recent letter to Ranking Member McCrery, the Commissioner of Social Security, Michael Astrue, reinforces CRS’s findings and repeatedly states that his agency cannot determine the citizenship status of an individual by simply matching a name with a Social Security Number. Making the language in H.R. 976 even more egregious is the fact that this provision allows applicants to be approved for public assistance money without even showing any proof that they actually are the person they are claiming to be. Under this scheme, an individual could simply steal your name and Social Security Number and use it to access thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded benefits. Is this the kind of behavior that the Democratic Leadership is seeking to encourage?

"...I simply cannot vote for a bill that flagrantly encourages illegal aliens to break our immigration laws and fraudulently enroll in taxpayer-funded public assistance programs. I ask that you join with me in voting against this deeply flawed bill...

Nathan Deal, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Health Committee on Energy and Commerce

[3AngelaD]

Whoopee! We get to pay for even better and more free medical care for illegal aliens. Thanks, Congress.

[Diogenesis]

[Man50D]

The only way to guard against illegal immigrants from getting benefits is for them to show immigration documents—not SS#’s!

Wrong Michelle. The only way to guard against illegal aliens from getting benefits is to strictly enforce our existing immigration laws and deport all illegals!

[stephenjohnbanker]

It looks like “Shamnesty 2” will pass. Time for a “Million American March” on D.C. !!!!

[Republican Red]

From NRO Corner

Bush Will Veto S-CHIP [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

From OMB this morning:

The Administration strongly supports reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which maintains SCHIP’s original purpose of targeting health care dollars to low-income children who need them most. However, the current bill goes too far toward federalizing health care and turns a program meant to help low-income children into one that covers children in some households with incomes of up to $83,000 a year. If H.R. 976 were presented to the President in its current form, he would veto the bill.

It is urgent that Congress complete its work and send the President a bill he can sign before the program expires September 30, 2007, or at a minimum to pass a clean, temporary extension of the current SCHIP program that he can sign by September 30th.

[janetgreen]

Time for a “Million American March” on D.C. !!!!

BTTT!

Everyone, please write to your Representatives and demand to be represented in this matter. We are being forced to become the health care provider for the world, thanks to these traitors and this insane president. Enough is enough!

[Sybeck1]

tagline

[stephenjohnbanker]

“Everyone, please write to your Representatives and demand to be represented in this matter.”

I moved to Scottsdale after having lived in Socal (1976-2006)

Bush “murdered....okay, targeted” Rep. Hayworth, and we are stuck with Kyl. I’m a loser!!

LOL!

Actually, we have Joe Arpaio, so we ain’t dead yet :-)

[dforest]

Truth is, the illegals are not expected to be illegal for long. Truth is, the US intends to open the borders between 3 nations. Truth is, when we start facing the facts as to why this is happening, we understand.

Truth is, we are dumb enough to believe the government we have, and all of this will happen in due time.

They will wear us down and we will end up with no choice.

We get to see the end of the US as a separate sovereign nation. We will still react with denial.

Baghdad Bob would be proud of how this has been pulled off!

[NormsRevenge]

loophole - New health care benefits for illegal aliens

—

What a country!

[stevio]

WTF! I take a week vacation and I wind up coming back to another amnesty???

[isrul]

It appears the Federal govt. has become the enemy of the America people. The question is”what can be done about it?”. Can we find and elect Representatives who will represent our interests or will another solution be necessary?

[gubamyster]

ping

[Sig Sauer P220]

Anybody remember the movie “Falling Down” with Michael Douglas? Thats how I’m starting to feel.

[navyguy]

This is going to be crammed down our throats sooner or later. Meanwhile, illegals will march in our streets wagging their fingers in our faces.

Its become crystal clear to me that the ONLY people who are required to actually obey the law are middle class americans. If you are a politician or here illegally you can walk all over us with impunity.

How far does this have to go before the American public marches on Washington and tells congress that if they don’t reverse this process we will physically drag them into the streets to be tarred and feathered?

[dforest]

bump