Speech #1100111890

This bill also addresses a serious problem arising from the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Opponents of this responsible. commonsense. humane adjustment claim that language in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act. DRA. that imposed harsher citizenship verification requirements on state Medicaid programs. is the only barrier protecting taxpayer dollars from being spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants. Madam Speaker. nothing could be further from the truth. First and foremost. existing Federal law and provisions in the CHIP Reauthorization Act prevent Federal funds from being spent to provide benefits for illegal immigrants. Section 605 specifically states that "nothing in this act allows Federal payment for individuals who are not legal immigrants." Illegal immigrants have never been eligible for Medicaid. and nothing in the CHIP Reauthorization Act would change that fact. Secondly. the DRA requirements have overwhelmingly failed to save taxpayer dollars. Instead. they have imposed substantial additional costs on taxpayers while reducing health care benefits available to poor children.