You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Home Front: Politix
Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare
2009-10-02
[The Hill] Senate Finance Committee Democrats rejected a proposed a requirement that immigrants prove their identity with photo identification when signing up for federal healthcare programs.

Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that current law and the healthcare bill under consideration are too lax and leave the door open to illegal immigrants defrauding the government using false or stolen identities to obtain benefits.

Grassley's amendment was beaten back 10-13 on a party-line vote.

The bill, authored by committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), would require applicants to verify their names, places of birth and Social Security numbers. In addition, legal immigrants would have to wait five years, as under current law, after obtaining citizenship or legal residency to access federal healthcare benefits such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or receive tax credits or purchase insurance through the exchange created by the legislation.

But the would not require them to show a photo ID, such as a drivers license. Without that requirement, the bill "remains dearly lacking when it comes to identification," Grassley said. "Frankly, I'm very perplexed as to why anyone would oppose this amendment," he said.

But Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who represents the border state of New Mexico, said that the type of fraud Grassley said he wants to prevent is highly uncommon. "The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem," Bingaman said.
Posted by:Fred

#9  "I'd be suprised of Obama ever tells the truth"

He doesn't, CF - including when he uses the words "a," "and," and "the." >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2009-10-02 22:20  

#8  Hell I'd be suprised of Obama ever tells the truth....

The way I hear it - under this a LEGAL IMMIGRANT who naturalizes will have to wait 5 YEARS to qualify. However an ILLEGAL ALIEN (i.e. someone who is a lawbreaker) gets in right off the bat.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2009-10-02 21:22  

#7  But Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who represents the border state of New Mexico, said that the type of fraud Grassley said he wants to prevent is highly uncommon. "The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem," Bingaman said.

The way I see it Mr Bingaman, you are a Congressman without a Brain go see the Wizard of OZ.

What a bunch of Idiots.
Posted by: Gruse Brown5488   2009-10-02 19:49  

#6  I am one of those racists that insists that if people enroll their kids in school they should prove legal residency. Also to vote, get medical care, welfare, housing, and food stamps. But I am a racists.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2009-10-02 19:42  

#5  More proof that Joe Wilson was right, Obama lied (again).
Posted by: DMFD   2009-10-02 12:02  

#4  I can't write a check for a book of stamps without photo ID. Can't buy tobacco without a photo ID.

But have access to thousends of other peoples' dollars, and choose policy makers and no ID required?

Illegals around here already have a health care plan, its called showing up to the ER room. Kansas has recently proposed a fine for those who use the ER for non-emergencies, but if ya can't verify who it is...
Posted by: swksvolFF   2009-10-02 11:36  

#3  I hope they are able to fend off all compromise amendments. Let it be as radical left as they can make it. The stronger left it is, the stronger the reaction will be against it.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon   2009-10-02 10:16  

#2  I have a better idea. Toss the current bill and let the illegals buy their own private plan like everyone else. Portable, competitive nationwide policies would make it affordable. Offer a catastrophic plan so the young and healthy will participate. Make it a tax deduction so only taxpayers benefit but it gives a financial incentive(tax break) to have coverage. Small businesses wouldn't have to go bankrupt providing coverage if everyone bought their own private plan. No freebies--the poor could have their premiums subsidized but the states wouldn't have to reimburse the providers, cutting their expenditures. The states already have laws on the books regarding ID and if California wants to cover them, the rest of us won't have pay for it. There would be no federal dollars spent, as all policies would be private, ending the debate over abortion and illegal aliens.
Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091   2009-10-02 02:00  

#1  "The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem,"

So you won't have any objection to including the provision, right?
Posted by: gorb   2009-10-02 01:21  

00:00