President Obama addresses Congress on Wednesday
White House officials have stated repeatedly, and emphatically, that illegal aliens will not receive coverage under the contentious health care bills that are being considered by our representatives in government.
Section 246, convincingly titled “NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS”, within H.R. 3200 says: "Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.” Couldn’t be clearer right? Wrong!
The Annenberg Public Policy Center dances around to say Obama was correct in his speech when he insisted illegal aliens wouldn’t receive coverage. Factcheck.org even refers to the argument: “conservative critics object to a lack of specific enforcement measures in the bill” and then says “Republicans have a point here.” Still, factcheck.org ultimately affirms “the president is correct.”
However, it turns out that Joe Wilson was right when he blurted out “you lie!” to the president. Republicans certainly have a point – there is no provisioning within the bill that asks would-be members of the public option if they are citizens of the United States. There can be all sorts of sections stating that illegal aliens won’t be covered but if there’s no enforcement the text is no more than words on a page.
The issue was particularly sensitive to Wilson because in July an amendment was proposed that would have required applicants for subsidized insurance to proof their citizenship. The Democrat majority voted down the amendment and voted instead to appoint a federal official to make up rules that will prevent illegal immigrants from joining the “public option.”
That’s the extent of enforcement – a vague promise to appoint a government bureaucrat charged with keeping undocumented citizens from enrolling in government-run health care and the text of section 246.
The Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress charged with thinking proposed policy through before it is enacted, said in mid-July, before the recess and the August town all outbursts that:
“Under H.R. 3200, a ‘Health Insurance Exchange’ would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option...H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens – whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently – participating in the Exchange.”
The loophole is glaring - so much so that Senate committees are now hard at work trying to “correct” the problem – or perhaps their motivation is to save face for the president. Either way, no details have been provided on just how this will be accomplished.
The health care battles rage on and over a million people opposed to all of these huge government programs marches on Washington today. Which side will win – the people or the propaganda machine coming out of Washington and parroted by a supportive media?
Comments
This idea is stupid. This article is stupid. You cant argue with some fools.
No todd you are obviously stupid. Where is your retort? Type "define:retort" into Google so you can find a definition of that word.
Copy and paste into your browser and you'll find out you can use Google as a dictionary? Who knew!
Brian, if you want to be taken seriously do not act like such a child when someone disagrees with your opinion. Your response to todd shows how juvenile you are. You made good points in your article obviously biased; but still good commentary. As with all stories there is more to this health care debate than you have lead on, but I do agree that the law needs to clearly state what the eligibility requirements are for participants of any program. Brian you have a lot of potential, but like I see from most people these days that want to want to be “Journalist”, they slander the truth and actually create nothing more than an op-ed piece instead of helping to provide a real solution to a problem.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and anyone can criticize past events, or jumping on a current bandwagon (which you obviously have with the conservative party). Looking to the future and participating in creative thoughts for a brighter tomorrow is a lot harder, and takes much more talent.
Okay truth...you're right todd certainly deserved a well-rounded reply since he formed such a literate opinion.
I feel so validated now that you say I have potential!
Brian, be proud. You've attracted shills!
Brian, if you want to be taken seriously do not act like such a child when someone disagrees with your opinion. Your response to todd shows how juvenile you are. You made good points in your article obviously biased; but still good commentary. As with all stories there is more to this health care debate than you have lead on, but I do agree that the law needs to clearly state what the eligibility requirements are for participants of any program. Brian you have a lot of potential, but like I see from most people these days that want to want to be “Journalist”, they slander the truth and actually create nothing more than an op-ed piece instead of helping to provide a real solution to a problem.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and anyone can criticize past events, or jumping on a current bandwagon (which you obviously have with the conservative party). Looking to the future and participating in creative thoughts for a brighter tomorrow is a lot harder, and takes much more talent.
I have to say something else here truth. I have in no way jumped on the bandwagon with anybody. I wrote this piece to show how illegals can get coverage with the bill in its current state - not my support for the GOPs position.
I don't support this bill at all. I think its extremely dangerous and it must be stopped. Just wanted to make that clear...
Truth, A journalists job is to report the facts. That's it. So spare us all the lecture about providing real solutions. This article was written to expose a designed loophole in the proposed bill so the Democrats could have their cake and eat it too. They could promise us Illegals would not be included to get it passed and then give their interests groups a wink and not enforce it. Truth, I know its hard but you have to focus and stick to the topic at hand. I'm sure you have a lot to disagree with but if you could tell us all what you found incorrect about the premise of the article then maybe we could all learn something. After all that's why we're here.
Good retort; now you should feel validated. I agree that this bill needs to be looked at very carefully. I also do agree that the health care system is not working properly as is, and needs to be changed. Unfortunately this “can” has been kicked down the street for too long, now something major must be done. The economical devastation of not changing our course is staggering. Let’s not forget that the largest population boom in the history of the world is entering into their senior years right now. There are an estimated 77.3 million Americans who were born during this baby boom period(1946-1964).
Brian the best advise I can give you is. Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it. Best of luck to you.
Wade,
I don't believe I ever suggested there was anything incorrect about the premise of the article. I too agree with Brian that this bill needs to be looked at very closely and advised by the best. I did state though that there is more to the health care debate. If the only topic you guys are looking at is this topic of a “loop-hole” okay I’ll bite, and say let’s close it and move on to the next topic. However you too are correct that it is hard to focus and stick to just this one topic at hand when there are so many other issues to look at in this arena. I agree with both sides of the aisles depending on the issue. For example I do believe that If you need very complex surgeries or care you're pretty lucky to be in America. However that doesn’t mean we have the best health care.
Continued from below...
Most health care is not that. Most health care is getting people through their poor health over years or managing the pain of arthritis or just replying to a question for someone who is concerned or preventing them from getting into trouble in the first place(Physicals, Good eating habits, exercise, etc..). On those scores: Chronic disease care, community-based care, primary care, preventive care. No we're no t the best.
I also found in Google that a retort is not required for retarded articles. Neither is ProPEr GraMMer or pun'suations wHen Dealing wiTh unproFessional biased bAsEd garbage lIke thi s.
The second go-back per this “loop-hole” is that language in the House bill does provide clear authority for the new government official who will run the exchange to set up that verification at a later time.
So in summary as the bill notes now; the new commissioner could enforce these restrictions in one of two ways: through document- and database-based screening requirements as in the Medicaid system, or by reimbursing health care expenses through tax refunds.
Personally I would say through document- and database-based screening requirements as in the Medicaid system, this will clear this topic up, and not add un-needed responsibility to the IRS.
The part that is missing is that this “loop-hole” is based on only one of the two different kinds of benefits suggested in the bill that can be considered taxpayer-subsidized: tax credits and access to the public insurance option.
Now the supposed “Loop-hole” comes through on just the tax credit side of the two benefits. Where the bill lacks enforcement of citizenship, the IRS picks up. Since the IRS is the one to give this tax credit, only those with that have valid social security numbers are able to cash in on this option. Most illegals do not have social security numbers.
Continued below...
Wade per your comment about “A journalist’s job is to report the facts”. Where I agree with you, my point is still valid that only part of the truth is being told by Brian's article. What I meant to say previously is that without the truth or full context of a story the author is not providing the audience with enough information to form a complete thought and provide real solutions from there forward.
Continued below...
Brian,
Okay I am sorry to speculate that you were on the conservative bandwagon. It is just statements you made can easily stereotype you as a typical conservative supporter like your statement: "or perhaps their motivation is to save face for the president" this type of rhetoric is spewed by conservative to tear down the opposite side. I agree that this topic needs to be addressed, but if all we are ever trying to do is tear down the other political side; we are losing sight of making steps toward a real solution, and mainly focusing our efforts on retaliating upon the last disagreement. Where I think healthy debate is absolutely needed to show all the sides of a story, I also think you can debate in a civil productive way by fully explaining the details in which support your case.
A well presented article, Brian. Dare we hope that health care would require proof of citizenship status? With that in place, emergency treatment and stabilization could be humanely provided and then deportation for illegal aliens.
Todd - you are obviously the idiot here. That's the last I'll say to you. You are a total moron.
Truth - I don't care if the loophole only affects one aspect of the health care plan and I don't care if you feel I'm not telling the whole story. I feel I am telling the story that needs to be told - that, in fact, Obama is a liar and amounts to little more than a snake oil salesman.
I don't want this garbage passed and if I can share my findings with others I will - especially since you won't see this kind of analysis anywhere in MSM.
No enforcement provisions in the House bill, they were thrown out by the Dems that WANT illegals covered, plain and simple.
No matter, this is DOA anyway. For all you Obamabots that "believe" that illegals won't be covered, your right. Obama intends to legalize all of them by 2013. He as much said so.
Even if that doesn't pass, no matter. The USA is expert in passing meaningless laws and gutting or selectivly enforcing the PC laws of the day. Immigration is the best example, did you know it's illegal to enter the country without permission?
Could have fooled me with millions of illegals here in Mexifornia.
Federal laws don't mean much around here. You will learn that too someday.
"Nothing in the bill will prevent illegal aliens from getting coverage," says the article.
Yes, and that's exactly the way the Demmocrats want it. That's the plan.
Todd is probably just in some business where he uses and abuses illegal aliens. I swear, that always seems to be the case with people who are so gung ho about illegal aliens.
If the Wilson verifcation and enforcement amendments are re-instated as an integral part of any final draft of the Obama Health Care/insurance Reform bill then and only then will I support this much needed legislation. If not, then I won't. I'm quite sure millions of other Americans feel the way I do.
1) The bill is still in committees - a final version hasn't even been presented to the full House.
2) Although it appears to be the main bill, HR 3200 is far from the ONLY bill - there are several, and committees almost ceertainly will be adding and subtracting for awhile yet.
3) ONE committe killed the proposed amendment - at least in part because a host of other federal laws make it unnecessary and because 3200 would direct the designated bureacrat to set up a verification system. We can argu over whether that's the best way, but it almost certainly would be like the Medicaid system.
4) The Senate is working on its own set of bills; ultimately, whatever goes to the President will be a compromise of the House and Senate.
And 5) Obama says the bill HE WILL SIGN will not cover illegals. I'm not a big fan of his, but until he signs something covering illegals, he's not lying.
Bobby says: "Nothing in the bill will prevent illegal aliens from getting coverage," says the article. (September 14, 2:06 PM)
Actually, Bobby, the headline says, "Nothing in health care bill will prevent illegal aliens from SEEKING coverage." I know the president intends to get a bill that will prevent illegals from GETTING coverage, but I doubt if it's possible to write a law that would prevent them from SEEKING coverage. Actually, come to think of it, if we could have a law preventing illegals from SEEKING coverage, we would not need one to prevent them from GETTING it, would we?
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