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Hospitals in Arizona and other border states have turned to the program to defray the costs of providing emergency care to illegal immigrants. But the program expires at the end of this month, and lawmakers say there is little chance that more funding will be added.
Arizona hospitals have lobbied Sen. Jon Kyl, who sponsored the original bill, to help extend the program. But Congress just doesn't have enough time to deal with the issue during this fall's limited session, which has been dominated by Wall Street's financial crisis in recent days.
"I don't think it is a very rosy prospect because we are just about out of the legislative session," said Kyl, who favors extending the program. "The only bit of good news is there is still a little bit of money left over."
The program was meant as a temporary fix for hospitals until Congress passed comprehensive immigration reform.
The program provided $250 million a year to states such as California, Texas, Arizona and others that have been hardest hit by immigrant care costs.
Even though the program expires at the end of the month, there will still be about $77 million available to Arizona hospitals and doctors, according to the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
Still, Arizona hospitals want a long-term fix.
"We are disappointed but not surprised or discouraged," said John Rivers, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona hospital association. "This touches the immigration issue and that is considered a hot potato both nationally and in Arizona. You need a broad coalition to get support for this and get it done."
While it's unfortunate that some of our citizens will get caught in this net, overall I think it represents another victory for America. One more freebie that needs to be cut off across the board. The more freebies we cut off the larger the population of leeches that will go home.
That has actually been tried in the past. Guess what happened? The mexican government totally ignored it. I have suggested a solution to the problem of illegal immigration on more occasions than one and recently suggested it during a conversation with my senator. I suggested that we deduct any and all costs associated with this invasion from any foreign aid to Mexico, and any other countries with illegals here draining American tax dollars and it would dry up the problem. I guaranteed him that those governments would issue shoot to kill orders before they gave up their "disposable income" that the US provides them annually.
I was told it was a good idea and that it would be taken under advisement.
That has actually been tried in the past. Guess what happened? The mexican government totally ignored it. I have suggested a solution to the problem of illegal immigration on more occasions than one and recently suggested it during a conversation with my senator. I suggested that we deduct any and all costs associated with this invasion from any foreign aid to Mexico, and any other countries with illegals here draining American tax dollars and it would dry up the problem. I guaranteed him that those governments would issue shoot to kill orders before they gave up their "disposable income" that the US provides them annually.
I was told it was a good idea and that it would be taken under advisement.
Great idea! If you don't mind, I'd like to pass that along to my senator. (and I would love to rep you, but I have to wait )
In the long term, this may be a good thing. As long as the gov. continues to prop up hospitals that are being swamped with illegals by diverting Medicare and Medicaid funds to cover these deadbeats' bills, Americans are not fully aware of how damaging this freeloading is. If alot more hospitals start really getting squeezed and begin looking at closing ERs , OB units or even the whole hospital then it will hit people that we cannot be expected to endlessly provide 'free' medical care to millions of illegals.
The issue should not be how to co-opt more money from insurance programs for the elderly or poor and use it to cover illegal's bills. The issue should be how to get illegals back to their home countries. Let Mexico pay for it's citizens healthcare.
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