djaburg

So it seems as if the Obama administration is backing away from their initial contention that illegals would not be receiving medical benefits they're not entitled to. How can you prevent it, if you can't verify it?


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Last week, the Senate Finance Committee wrapped up its consideration, or “mark up,” of its health care reform bill, the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. (Chairman’s Mark). During the mark up, the committee rejected two amendments that sought to enhance verification requirements for individuals who apply for taxpayer-subsidized health care benefits, as well as another amendment regarding federal benefits for legal aliens.

On Wednesday, September 30, Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) offered an amendment “that would require an applicant, or a parent or guardian of an applicant under 18, to present government-issued photo identification at the time of application for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits.” (CQ Committee Coverage, September 30, 2009). In a statement on his amendment, Grassley asked the committee: “Is there any question that when you’re getting the benefit of a Children’s Health Insurance Program or Medicaid that there’s really nothing wrong with requiring a photo ID?…Shouldn’t we…care about people accessing thousands of dollars of government benefits through identity theft?” Well-known amnesty proponent Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) spoke against Senator Grassley’s amendment, arguing that the measure would create “a new barrier to coverage for everyone.” (CSPAN, September 30, 2009). The amendment was ultimately defeated on a party-line vote. The entire article

Tumbleweed36

Why is this a surprise? Every amendment that is brought up by Republicans is defeated on a party line vote and this is pretty evident from their discussion and subsequent voting along party lines.

They Democrats don't want to check because they know cheating will be rampant and if they put a check in, the illegal votes and voters go away and they lose votes to stay in office.

Change, real change!

yustr

Two points:

The committee spent months trying to forge a bill that had republican support, hundreds of hours of discussions, scores of meetings. Then when it came to a vote – exactly how many republicans voted for it? No they chose to fall on their sword to fight even a modest - PRO INSURANCE COMPANY bill. So before you rant about the dem's consider how your party handled themselves in this fiasco.

Verification was tried and resulted in thousands of American's being turned away but a miniscule number of illegals kept away. Emergency rooms would still have to take them – unless you’re suggesting that ID be required there too. Oops, no ID? Sorry, go die on the street. Now is that why the dems voted it down? You're probably a little right, the dems covet the hispanic citizen's vote...recall that illegals can't vote.

bry623

Which is why they don't want the IDs. Come register to vote today, vote today and you won't need an ID............. BTW, who will they vote for? The people giving away "Oprah's favorite things".

Seriously, it is not that hard to get a state ID. Especially if by getting one, you are able to get so much more in return. It is such a fallacy to say that requiring an ID kills people.

Tumbleweed36

Hmm, you are correct, ever hear of ACORN?

djaburg

If only it were that easy. In my lovely state of CA, they have motor voter, which is a cute little phrase that allows people getting drivers licenses to register to vote at the same time. No proof of citizenship, no problem.

Canaanabolaanan

Yes. Bold and italicized for effect. Fine. All voter registration fraud. No voter fraud. Illegals still can't vote.

Tumbleweed36

Unless of course they voted fraudulently via registration fraud. It will take years to find out who Acorn paid to vote in the last election. Don't bet that many illegal voters were registered to vote and actually did vote.

No verification of legality to vote, no fraud, is this correct??? We are not permitted (in some states) to verify your legallity, so come on in, vote early, vote often. No foul, just keep playing the game.

Just wanted to clarify that issue and wondered if you actually believe there were no illegals who voted in this last election.

Canaanabolaanan

True. Which no charges have landed. Thus my initial statement.

Tumbleweed36

Which no charges have landed YET! Unfortunately, it will take nothing short of forever to assess these charges of registration fraud because there is so much of it to wade through. I guess we will see in time.

BTW Canaanabolaanan, I appreciate your way of thinking through posts and posting honest opinions, even if I don't always agree with your assessment. Cheers for that method, because we don't see that very often on this forum area.

Drew1369

No but charges are being filed against ACORN for voter registration fraud... so why do you support them?

Canaanabolaanan

I only support them in so much as I don't support lies about them. However, they seem to be a multi-faceted organization and I think it would be presumptuous to assume a whole bad bunch because of a few bad grapes.

They do (some) legitimate voter drives, in addition to cheap housing for low income workers. I don't think this is such a bad idea or program. But certainly their negative reputation and behavior does not bode well for them.

1. Well, I was trying to distinguish registration fraud from voter fraud. Registration fraud is signing up people who don't deserve to be signed up. Voter fraud is having actual unqualified persons voting, actually changing the vote count. Voter registration fraud is no meager offense, but that doesn't change elections. Voter fraud would be the biggy. And I don't recall hearing a whole lot of voter fraud cases even being brought up. I'm pretty sure it's voter reg. fraud. Perhaps there was a decent degree of this. But for election purposes, I think it's insignificant.

2. Thanks. I appreciate this. Politics isn't an easy topic to discuss, and it indeed can get me riled. Though I try to maintain a cool demeanor with thoughtful responses, and I'm glad I'm not seen (at least by all) as something of an ogre :)