Chairman. the subcommittee and the full committee wish to change the existing law in a number of respects. This amendment would have us return to existing law. First of all. the committee recommendation is to clarify a distinction which is in the law now between migrant workers and seasonal workers. This distinction is a very vague one. There is an ambiguity with respect to what health services are to be available to seasonal workers. We would remove that ambiguity and allow both to be treated through the health coverage provided for migrant workers. The bill as amended. if this amendment were successful. would wipe out a number of important steps which the committee is proposing. Our bill. without this amendment. specifies which health services migrants are to get as a minimum. We attempt to assure the quality of the services rendered. We give the migrants a role in determining the policies of the programs that have been designed to serve them. and we require the Secretary to study to make recommendations to improve migrant housing. Further. we authorize money to the States to enforce the housing and health codes to protect migrants from pesticides. Mr. Chairman. if this amendment were passed. we would cut the authorization in 197677 by $21 million. an authorization. by the way. which the committee has already cut by $72 million from last years version of the bill.
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migrants migrant