Speech #980219107

Under the judiciary bill. the President is required to report to Congress on the impact of the legalization program within 18 months after enactment. This amendment specifies that this report must include a description of the impact of the program on the public health and medical needs of individuals in different regions of the country. During the committees consideration of this legislation. it became apparent that there is very little reliable information on the health status or needs of the undocumented alien population in the country. This made it very difficult to evaluate the different policy recommendations the committhe received regarding health coverage for legalized aliens. The purpose of this amendment is to assure that. as many of these aliens adjust their status under this bill. the Department of Health and Human Services. in cooperation with the States and localities. make a concerted effort to learn as much as possible about the public health and medical care needs of this newly legalized population.