Myth #2 in the Series--Dispelling the Six Most Prevalent Myths Regarding Health Care Reform, 1 Myth at a Time

Okay, here is myth #2 for your viewing pleasure!

Myth#2
People who are in the U.S. illegally would get government health care.

Fact
The page most mythmakers cite as definitive proof that illegal immigrants would get government health care is on page 50 of H.R. 3200. Page 50 states, “SEC. 152. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE. (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise explicitly permitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations consistent with this Act, all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.”

The only place in the bill that mentions anything remotely related to illegal immigrants is where the bill talks about immigration status on page 132, which states “SEC. 242. AFFORDABLE CREDIT ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL. (a) DEFINITION.—(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this division, the term ‘‘affordable credit eligible individual’’ means, subject to subsection (b), an individual who is lawfully present in a State in the United States (other than as a nonimmigrant described in a subparagraph (excluding subparagraphs (K), (T), (U), and (V)) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). ’’ That’s it, the only place.

If you scroll down to page 143, you will find that it states “SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”

Type in “illegal immigrant” or “illegal alien” in the “find” box. Nothing will come up. Type in “undocumented aliens.” The only references are on page 7 (indicating where in the text section 246 is) and page 143. Here is the link to H.R. 3200: http://peters.house.gov/uploads/HR3200%20Full%20Text.pdf

Is it true that illegal immigrants might be able to get health insurance under health care reform? Yes, just as they do now by purchasing health insurance. It is not a new provision or even one that has been added to H.R. 3200. Here is what politifact.com had to say about it: “The best argument that we find that health reform would help illegal immigrants is that some might be able to purchase the public option — if it passes, and it might not — on the new health insurance exchange. They would purchase that at full cost… That's similar to the current system — we're not aware of any particular restrictions that stop illegal immigrants from buying private insurance now. Under health care reform, illegal immigrants would be able to buy private insurance or the public option.”

Is it true that illegal immigrants get health care in the United States? Yes it is. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, hospitals have to treat people who are brought in for emergencies regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status.

I have a question: Would you rather illegal immigrants be able to purchase their health insurance, thereby paying money out of pocket, or would you rather not let them have this option? Without the option, we all pay because, by federal law, they are entitled to emergency room services even if they cannot pay. Hospitals can get reimbursed through Medicaid but that doesn’t mean they do get reimbursed.

Check out politifact.com, factcheck.org, kff.org, cms.hhs.gov (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and http://www.khou.com/news/local/politics/stories/khou090827_mp_illegal-immigrants-health-care-refor.121de3a0b.html.