Speech #890084998

You will note that in order to qualify under both the mandatory and supplementary medical aid programs of H.R. 6675. the applicant must be at least 65 and must either be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States continuously during the 10 years immediately preceding the month in which he files his application. It is on this 10year continuous residence requirement that some thought should be given to possible revision. Approximately 165.000 of the 2.819.246 permanent resident immigrants who came to this country between June 30. 1955. and June 30. 1964. or during the last 10year period reported by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. were over age 60. an age bracket which would be directly affected by the 10year continuous residence requirement. Based on a reasonable statistical estimate arrived at through previous experience. roughly between 5 and 7 percent of the 165.000 permanent resident aliens have been or will become naturalized. This would still leave between 140.500 and 147.500 of the senior permanent resident aliens ineligible under the terms of the 10year continuous residence restriction. Although relatively small as compared to the total number of citizens who will be covered. such a figure is very significant in terms of those who will not be covered under the current eligibility requirements. It is. moreover. very questionable whether any meaningful economy will result from insisting on the retention of the residenae clause. Personally. it is my deep conviction that such a requirement runs counter to our professed humanitarianism. Included in the 140.500 to 147.500 figures are thousands of refugees who came here at our invitation in order to escape persecution in the iron and bamboo curtain countries. To deny such individuals what. in effect. amounts to equal protection under our laws is. in my view. an inconsistent position. Furthermore. these immigrants have been carefully screened in order to select those who want to contribute to our Nations development. They are gainfully employed and are assessed income taxes and social security payments like any other American. Many. in addition to the 5- to 7percent naturalization figure mentioned. will be processing for that status as soon as they can meet certain minimum qualifications. The damage which can very likely result to our image overseas. as well as in this country. from this wellmeaning but imprudent requirement will far offset any economy that can conceivably result. Although I am in no way inferring that we should follow the examples set by other countries in the matter of determining eligibility requirements for aliens in medical care programs.