We must not abandon the children of families whose benefits are cut off. We must continue to ensure that they will be provided for and not punished for the actions of their parents. Many more children will be hurt by the bills denial of benefits to legal immigrants. Lowincome legal immigrants would be denied aid provided under major programs such as SSI and food stamps. States would also have the option of denying Medicaid to legal immigrants. They would also be denied assistance under smaller programs such as mealsonwheels to the homebound elderly and prenatal care for pregnant women. Under this bill. nearly half a million current elderly and disabled beneficiaries who are legal immigrants would be terminated from the SSI Program. Similarly. the Congressional Budget Office estimated that under the House bill. which is similar to the conference agreement. approximately 140.000 lowincome legal immigrant children who would be eligible for Medicaid under current law would be denied it under this legislation. Most of these children are likely to have no other health insurance. I cannot believe we would pass legislation that would result in even one more child being denied health care that could prevent disease and illness.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigrants