Health Insurance

[peejay 327]

For anyone that is interested in immigration history...one only has to read the testimony of US Congresswoman Barbara Jordan (D-TX) that chaired the U.S. Commission on Immigration that was created by the Immigration Act of 1990. You will find that just about everthing that was recommended was and has ultimately been ignored except for this provision:

...the Commission strongly supports efforts to make our public charge provisions work. We do not want the U.S. taxpayer to bear a burden when there is a sponsor in this country who has pledged to provide support for an immigrant. The affidavits of support signed by sponsors should be legally binding, and the provisions for deportation of those who do become a public charge-for reasons known prior to entry-should be strengthened.

It's appalling how they weaseled out of and dodged responsibility for this vague recommendation:

The Commission also made recommendations regarding impact aid for states and localities experiencing the fiscal effects of illegal immigration. We believe the federal government has a responsibility in this area. The first responsibility is to control illegal entries; the second is to help states and localities with their fiscal problems. However, we are skeptical of some of the data used to calculate these fiscal impacts. At present, the Commission believes that the data to support reimbursement of criminal justice costs are sound and we urge immediate reimbursement of these costs. We are not prepared to make such a recommendation regarding medical and education costs. We also urge that any impact aid provided require appropriate cooperation by states and localities in the enforcement of immigration policy.

You will find that the states hardest hit by the Federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws are more or less left to pay for most of those social costs locally. Isn't it ironic how the Feds love to exempt themselves from costs while mandating others to pay (except for their benefactors in Big Business). They also decided to force most of the costs of criminal aliens onto the states / localities too and didn't follow this recommendation either.

Nor do the Feds enforce sanctions against sanctuary cities such as Houston that barr enforcement of Federal immigration laws at the local level.

It just amazes me that more people that marry foreign spouses are not as vocal and pissed off as I am to the hypocricy of the Federal government nor do they demand accountability from our elected representatives at the Federal level. I can only say that any USC or LPR that does not ensure their sponsored immigrants have adequate medical insurance are opening themselves up to a huge financial liability if the immigrant ever needs expensive medical care though illness or accident. Illegal immigrants can get free medical care, but your legal immigrant cannot. Is this fair? Is our country retarded or do I just b*tch too much?

Here are links to the entire report. It is old history, but we suffer from its failures today.

http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/uscir/032995.html

http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/uscir/

[rebeccajo 14]

Illegal immigrants can get free medical care, but your legal immigrant cannot. Is this fair? Is our country retarded or do I just b*tch too much?

Just as illegal immigrants work but legals wait patiently for an EAD.

Let me add a little note about looking for assistance when you have no insurance. There ARE agencies, private non-government funded ones, in many cities that offer help. You just have to keep your eyes open. Ask your doctor. There is one in our town called Good Samaritan Clinic. If your household income is less than double the poverty limit, you can get free care - even hospital care - and since it is privately funded from donations by businesses, as well as doctors and nurses donating their time, the 'means tested benefit' provision doesn't apply. Any drugs they prescribe are $1. There are also prescription services out there - call your local Catholic Community Charities (no you don't have to be of that persuasion) or Volunteer Action Agency.