Olympia -- Governor Christine Gregoire and Democratic lawmakers proposed to expand state-funded health coverage for children of illegal aliens. Republican lawmakers are protesting the idea.
They're not even citizens," said Rep. Bill Hinkle of Cle Elum, the ranking Republican on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. "It doesn't make sense to cover illegal immigrants when there are so many other shortcomings in the state's health care system."
However, the move is receiving praise from hospitals, doctors and child advocates.
"In our opinion, every child should have medical coverage and be able to get medical care," said Jon Gould, deputy director of the Children's Alliance. "We shouldn't play politics with children."
Hospitals are required to treat any child who comes in with a medical emergency where they are insured or not. "... the cost simply get passed on and say "hidden tax" other patients who have insurance." Said Cassie Sauer, spokeswoman for the Washington State Hospital Association, "it's far less expensive to include those kids in health programs that provide basic preventive care, such as immunizations."
Fundamentally, [Gregoire] believes that kids are kids, irrespective of how their parents came here," Christina Hulet, the governor's chief health-policy adviser, told the House Health Care Committee on Monday.
1 comment:
Of course the hospitals are happy because they won't have to give service for free! This is just another reason to cross the border. It irritates me because I couldn't get coverage for my kids and they are legal!
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