[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H8683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HEALTH CARE REFORM LOOPHOLES ALLOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO GET BENEFITS

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when CBS News anchor Katie Couric 
asked President Obama if illegal immigrants could participate in his 
health care plan, his answer was ``no.'' However, here are the facts 
which have not been reported by the media. There are gaping loopholes 
in the health care bill that allow illegal immigrants to receive 
taxpayer-funded benefits.
  The bill contains no verification mechanism to ensure that illegal 
immigrants do not apply for benefits. In fact, Democrats rejected an 
amendment to close this loophole. And the bill leaves open the 
possibility that if one citizen family member is eligible for benefits, 
then the whole family, including illegal immigrant family members, is 
also eligible for the benefits. The proposed health care scheme could 
force the American people to pay for the health care of illegal 
immigrants. This is simply another reason to oppose it.

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