Obama administration reaffirms no healthcare support for undocumented immigrants

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Miami Herald

After President Barack Obama raised publicity in June with his declaration that 800,000 young undocumented immigrants could remain and work in the United States, his administration quietly issued a rule this week declaring that these immigrants can’t benefit from the healthcare reform law.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a rule amendment to clarify that the Affordable Care Act, which offers coverage to those “lawfully present” in the United States, did not apply to those mentioned in Obama’s June declaration.

The amendment means that the undocumented immigrants will not be able to join the Pre-Existing Condition Plan for high-risk patients and the healthcare exchanges being established to help people and small businesses obtain cheaper rates. The immigrants will also not be able to get into state-federal programs such as Medicaid, the health insurance for the poor, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“This certainly is a substantial financial issue in places like Miami, New York City and Los Angeles,” said Alan Sager, a healthcare policy expert at Boston University. He called the ruling “a relatively minor administrative clarification, a screwing down of something that was already nailed down.”

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/30/2976776/obama-administration-reaffirms.html

[Poll_Blind]

1. I guarantee you, the next shoe to drop is the repeal of all or portions of E.M.T.A.L.A.

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

PB

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. That would require an act of Congress signed by the President

[Poll_Blind]

4. Well yes. That's how it works. (?) nt

PB

[emulatorloo]

3. I think this is just a response to the FUCKING LIE that the Repukes keep telling.

"Obama is giving illegals free health care"


I really don't see any policy implications.

[mac56]

5. Agreed. This is a non-starter.

[oldsarge54]

7. Given how Ryan speaks to the nation

Do you really think the truth is going to stop our honorable but horribly informed opponents?

[alp227]

11. Exactly. Remember Joe "You Lie" Wilson?

[Igel]

13. There are some. Don't know if they're a problem.

If you can work for a small business, does the small business get a subsidy for your insurance? If they don't pay for your insurance, do you get a rebate?

How exactly does the ACA work as far as taxes are concerned for illegal residents under the state of grace offered? And will it be found Constitutional to charge them FICA and Medicare payroll taxes without the implicit contract that the "insurance" programs offer?

Consider U Calif schools. If you're a student and get grants, your health care insurance is covered by grants. If you're a grad student and are a TA or RA, your insurance is part of your mandatory fees and covered by the fee waiver you get. Often those are funded by outside grants, the outside grants are very often federal. That means that your health care is paid for by NIH funds, for example.

[Jamaal510]

6. Well, he did what he had to do in order to make Republicans play ball.

[AlphaCentauri]

8. Mr. President pleasing the republican kookoos n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. By followed the law as written?

[Hey Jude]

9. Meanwhile, back in Arizona

Jan Brewer is having a scorpion for breakfast, washed down with a martini of course.

[Mojorabbit]

10. This is bad public health policy. nt

[ieoeja]

15. How could not immunizing these other people against communicable diseases possibly hurt me? n/t

I with I could say this -> is not necessary. But far too many teabaggers would ask that question in perfect sincerity.

And not understand the answer.

[alp227]

12. Spain has similar policy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/31/immigrants-spain-lose-public-healthcare

[Pterodactyl]

16. They'd be better off in their home countries. Health care is free in lots of places.