Schofield Research

Granting them coverage is an explosive issue, but the charged debate shouldn’t derail needed changes to the current health system.

Opponents of healthcare reform argue that Congress would give illegal immigrants health insurance at taxpayer expense. The claim stirs a lot of resentment, particularly in border states struggling to cover the costs that undocumented immigrants impose on hospitals, schools and other public services. And although there may be valid reasons to improve the healthcare services these immigrants receive, it’s a step lawmakers can’t take without jeopardizing the reform effort as a whole.

Authors of the House bill (HR 3200) recognize how explosive the issue is and have tried to defuse it. One section :ih:965 of the bill unequivocally declares that illegal immigrants cannot receive taxpayer funds to help buy coverage. Critics say the proposal doesn’t provide a way to enforce the ban, so illegal immigrants are sure to find a way around it. Although that’s not a compelling argument, the insurance-buying exchanges created by the bill aren’t likely to be more resistant to fraud than Medicare and Medicaid are.

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