[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AMENDMENTS OF 2004

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                               speech of

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 17, 2004

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, while I inadvertently missed the final vote 
on H.R. 3722, Roll Call Vote #182, 1 would have voted in favor of the 
resolution.
  The Medicare and Prescription Drug Reform bill last year appropriated 
$1 billion over four years to pay state and local health facilities for 
the costs they incur in treating illegal aliens. Without denying health 
care to anyone appearing in the emergency room for treatment, H.R. 3722 
would have required that local hospitals turn over information to the 
Department of Homeland Security about the illegal aliens they treat, as 
a condition of being reimbursed under the new program.
  If hospitals chose not to do so, they would still be free to continue 
treating undocumented aliens. They simply wouldn't receive payment for 
these services.
  Although H.R. 3722 was not approved, as a member of the House 
Immigration Reform Caucus, I will continue to work with others in 
Congress toward meaningful solutions to curb the trend of illegal 
migration to the United States.

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