"Hispanic Caucus Tells Pelosi That Health Bill Just Right To Give Full Coverage To Illegal Aliens

By Roy Beck, Sunday, July 26, 2009, 10:28 PM

"You know we are in trouble when the supporters of a massive taxpayer health benefit giveaway to illegal aliens say the current House plan is just right. The authoritative ROLL CALL publication says Hispanic Caucus Members told it confidentially that the Caucus told Speaker Pelosi not to change a thing because as written illegal aliens will get the benefits.

CHC Presses Pelosi to Include Illegal Immigrants in Health Bill

-- Headline about CHC (Congressional Hispanic Caucus) by Jennifer Bendery in the Roll Call newspaper (July 24, 2009) 

Interestingly, the article also says that CHC Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) said that only "documented immigrants" were discussed.

But the reporter got quite a different story from other CHC Members who talked off the record.

A CHC member, who requested not to be identified, said the group is urging Pelosi to ensure that everyone — including illegal immigrants — will be able to receive services . . . 'We’re pushing to include everyone in the health care bill. Everyone,' said one CHC member.

-- Roll Call 

So, what does CHC want Pelosi to add to the House Health Bill to make sure 12-20 million illegal aliens get full taxpayer-paid health coverage?

Nothing.

That is because CHC apparently feels that the House Bill as written pretty well guarantees the coverage. Look: 

Asked if CHC leaders will ask Pelosi to specifically spell something out in the bill to address illegal immigrants, the Member said no. Rather, the Member said the CHC simply wants to make sure the bill — as drafted — doesn’t prohibit illegal immigrants from accessing care.

-- Roll Call 

Our allies on the Hill have been making just this point.  Speaker Pelosi and others have been trying to say that the House plan doesn't cover illegal aliens because it doesn't specifically say that it does.  Our allies, however, point out that unless legislation specifically bars illegal aliens from anything -- and requires verification -- illegal aliens always end up getting the benefit.

The fact that the Hispanic Caucus appears to be satisfied with the language the way it is suggests that our allies are right.

Roll Call reported that the CHS emphasized to Pelosi that she must block any language that would restrict the federal health plan to illegal aliens.

Once again, it appears that the Hispanic Caucus cares more about illegal aliens than Hispanic American citizens.

We will continue to provide multiple opportunities through the week for NumbersUSA members to fight this incredible reward for immigration lawbreakers.  At a time when negotiations are breaking down because of the gigantic projected costs of the House plan and as lawmakers try to find ways to cut benefits to -- and increase taxes on -- U.S. citizens, it is most telling that so many Members of Congress are insistent on protecting beneifts for illegal aliens.

Any federal health plan must include verifiable prohibitions against inclusion of foreign citizens who are illegally in this country. 

ROY BECK is Founder & CEO of NumbersUSA

http://www.numbersusa.com/content/nusablog/beckr/july-26-2009/hispanic-caucus-tells-pelosi-health-bill-just-right-give-full-coverage-i