posted on July 26, 2002 10:22:39 AM new
For those interested in how Rep. Mark Foley came up with the approximate $2Billion figure illegal aliens are costing the taxpayers, medical care only, maybe you might want to email him and ask.
http://www.house.gov/foley/home.htm
His media contact is Chris Paulitz.
I looked at his website to see if there was any mention of the statements he made on The O'Reilly Show on 7-24-02. This is all I could find.
GAO AGREES TO STUDY IMPACT OF ILLEGAL ALIENS ON HOSPITALS
WASHINGTON, Jul. 22— Congressman Mark Foley (FL-16) today announced that the General Accounting Office – the investigative arm of Congress – has accepted his request to study the financial impact of illegal aliens on our nation's hospital system. The GAO will also make recommendations on how the government can alleviate this burden from our hospitals.
"The parasitic effects on our heath care system must be inoculated immediately," Foley said. "It's crucial we ensure the solvency of these hospitals while looking for a long-term cure.
"The world must realize that, while we gladly accept its tired, poor and huddled masses, we also have rules that govern their entrance," Foley said. "We must make clear that these rules apply to both foreign nations and its citizens."
Foley, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, also recently asked Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson to develop a solution that would protect health care providers and taxpayers from these overburdening costs. Also, the Ways and Means Committee has agreed to hold hearings this year on the effects.
Foley will appear this Wednesday, July 24th, at 8:00p.m., on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" talking about this report.
Foley's letter to the GOA mentions one hospital in Marin Co., FLA snowyegret. No names [on his web site]. It also mentioned that just two illegal aliens hospital bill totaled $1M and the hospital had no way to recoup these costs.
When O'Reilly asked him who then picks up these costs....it's the paying patients [in increased medical costs] and the taxpayers.
[ edited by Linda_K on Jul 26, 2002 10:26 AM ]
posted on July 26, 2002 10:42:20 AM new
Reamond - [Again, only to learn how you see this.] You said, "I don't believe that we have cross-agency reporting on illegal aliens. When I did a search on http://thomas.loc.gov/ [and typed in the search field "illegal alien health care"] there are pieces of legislation shown there [both in the House and Senate] that speak to the different issues on this subject. If there weren't any cross-agency reporting, how could the federal government be speaking of reimbursing the states for the financial expenses the illegals are presenting to them?
posted on July 26, 2002 03:34:11 PM new
Linda- What I should have said is that there isn't cross agency reporting that identifies the individual to the INS. Statistacal reporting doesn't give the agencies any information that would allow them to identify and deport the individual.
posted on July 26, 2002 09:07:18 PM new
If you don't have insurance and you show up at a hospital in dire straights and are refused treatment the hospital is in violation of their charters and will be in a very sticky situation if you pursue the case.
You do have to have the nerve to get pushy and not be just turned away. I took my wife in for emergency surgery when I was unemployed had no insurance and had 48 dollars total to my name. She was taken care of completely. I eventually paid the bill in full. But they had no way of knowing that would happen. We only paid $75 a month for a couple years until we had a hunk of money to pay them off.
posted on July 27, 2002 11:19:43 AM new
This is a website for Health&Human services
for 50 States. The one for Texas and useing
their services,Tells you how many hoops
You have to jump thru if you are a citizen.
The only ones who are exempt from the same
Rules are the people from a country with a
low unemployment rate.
The way things are going,Wouldnt that be America soon? http://www.statehousegirls.net/agencies/hhs/
