Mr. President. I rise in support of S. 3762. which would authorize Federal funds for reimbursement of hospital expenses incurred by migrant workers and their families. Residency requirements make many migrants ineligible for hospitalization benefits under State medicaid programs. even though they would otherwise be eligible under the income guidelines. This has led to two unfortunate results. First. some migrants and their families have been denied needed medical care. and second. since Government regulations require that HillBurtonassisted hospitals provide a "reasonable amount" of free care to persons unable to pay. paying patients at such hospitals have been forced to absorb the extra cost through increased hospital charges. Mr. President. this legislation. which authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 1973. $35 million in fiscal year 1974. and $40 million in fiscal year 1975. will help alleviate these problems. Existing migrant health legislation provides for reimbursement of hospital costs as well as funding for outpatient health care. Unfortunately. however. due to inadequate funding for the overall program. no funds have yet been used for hospitalization. This does not make sense to me when hospitalization costs amount to more than onethird of total migrant health costs. Mr. President.
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