About Contact Archives RSS Columns Photos

S-CHIP and illegal alien aid: It’s still in there

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 4, 2007 12:47 PM

Robert Rector at the Heritage Foundation reports that the S-CHIP bill still pending in Congress continues to provide loopholes to illegal aliens to obtain access to Medicaid and undermines welfare eligibility rules for legal immigrants.

Bottom line:

H.R. 3963 fails to adequately prevent abuse of taxpayer funds. It increases opportunities for illegal immigrants to obtain Medicaid benefits and for legal immigrants to enroll in SCHIP or Medicaid before living in the U.S. the requisite five years. As such, the legislation is a significant step backward in efforts to prevent welfare fraud. Members of Congress should go back to the drawing board and craft a reauthorization proposal that includes safeguards to protect taxpayers and to ensure that welfare payments go only to those who are legally eligible.

***
Previous: Shamnesty Watch: S-CHIP loophole - New health care benefits for illegal aliens?

Posted in: Graeme Frost

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. More S-CHIP: With An Illegal Immigration Twist « Bilby’s
  2. a895796ae98ccb01df6b

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On December 4th, 2007 at 12:51 pm, jrlingreenbay said:

    Imagine what this country would look like if our politicians spent as much time looking out for Americans as they do for non-citizens?

    Astounding.

  2. #2
    On December 4th, 2007 at 12:57 pm, right_on said:

    C’mon jrl, they do…themselves!

    I sometimes find it hard to refer to some of them as “Americans,” though. Maybe in name only…

  3. #3
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Nothing frustrates me more than having to repeat myself…
    The Dems approach is mind-numbing.
    The American people won’t support amnesty nor any bill or policy that grants benefits to illegals. Isn’t it enough to be in this great country - free to do the jobs that Americans wont do? If this is the case and illegals are so law-abiding and self sufficient, please tell me why this is necessary?

  4. #4
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm, terrig said:

    Members of Congress should go back to the drawing board and craft a reauthorization proposal that includes safeguards to protect taxpayers and to ensure that welfare payments go only to those who are legally eligible. Robert Rector

    I would love if they would go back to the drawing board on this but I know they won’t.

  5. #5
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:09 pm, John Ansell said:

    It’s still here until we vote the bums out. Incumbents need not apply.

  6. #6
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pm, John Ansell said:

    They ought to rename it the “piece of S-Chip.”

  7. #7
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    It really is unbelievable. People talk about ‘racism’ being at the core of this issue. But it is extortion of taxpayer money that is the main problem.

    SS and medicare are both going broke. So if we legalize the illegals, that system will go broke faster. I’ve been paying into it all my life, illegals will likely get money out of it, and I won’t. It isn’t racism. . . I just don’t like to be robbed.

    The SCHIP and welfare programs are other systems that they want to use. I have no problem with people wanting to come here to work. If they would agree to not take any of our social services, medicare, social security, welfare, medicaid, then I would not have a problem with the illegal aliens here.

    They come here and take every advantage of our hospitality. That is the problem with illegal immigration. Politicians still giving out everyone else’s money but their own.

  8. #8
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pm, TexasTiger said:

    Members of Congress should go back to the drawing board…

    Drawing board? Most Congressmen can’t manage a coloring book.

  9. #9
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm, Milwaukee Mike said:

    If at first you don’t succeed, try-try-try……………….try and try again!

  10. #10
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm, WarTip said:

    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Nothing frustrates me more than having to repeat myself…
    The Dems approach is mind-numbing.
    The American people won’t support amnesty nor any bill or policy that grants benefits to illegals.

    That is EXACTLY what makes me so mad about MOST politicians. Whether the people support something or not is irrelevant to (almost?) all of the politicians. Partying above the people as usual. That is why I have such fears that our once great and proud nation may be doing more than a bit of stumbling this time.

  11. #11
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:22 pm, madchef said:

    The morons in Congress should pass the appropriation bills instead of repetedly trying to force failed bills like S-Chip and Shamnesty on us. The fact that 87 million taxpayers will receive their tax refund checks late this year is un acceptable. Let’s vote the scumbags out of office!! If they can’t do the job that they were elected to do then they need to be Fired!!!

  12. #12
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm, crashemt said:

    Is there any mechanism for an en masse recall of both Houses of Congress?

  13. #13
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm, crashemt said:

    Reading #7 made me look it up on Wikipedia: (emphasis is mine)

    Extortion-

    Extortion…is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person either unlawfully obtains money, property or services from another through coercion or intimidation or threatens one with physical or reputational harm unless they are paid money or property. … Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime groups. The actual obtainment of money or property is not required to commit the offense.

    And then later on the page:

    The term extortion is often used metaphorically to refer to usury or to price-gouging, though neither is legally considered extortion. It is also often used loosely to refer to everyday situations where one person feels indebted against their will, to another, in order to receive an essential service or avoid legal consequences.

    I guess we cannot charge Congress with extortion, but I definitely feel indebted against my will!

  14. #14
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm, Boomer said:

    Keep it up “most ethical Congress in history” go for that 1% approval rating.

  15. #15
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:37 pm, mike volpe said:

    I don’t want to re hash old political debates about SCHIP however this is the emotional issue Republicans can use. People have a visceral, emotional, reaction against illegal immigration, and this is what the Republican need to use to hammer at the Dems. Again, if it is Michelle Malkin leading the way in getting this part of the story out, it won’t work. We need the Rep leadership in front of the cameras talking about this.

  16. #16
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:42 pm, feebiebabe said:

    #15 - I disagree. It’s a common sense issue. It is a fiscal issue. It is an “i don’t want to have my taxes go to people who shouldn’t be here to begin with and broke the law issue”.

    If we use the emotional tactic…we are no better than them e.g. “you don’t care about the children…bs”.

    It won’t work because they will use emotion to respond. Poor tax paying citizens or poor illegal children with no healthcare…..

  17. #17
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:43 pm, WarTip said:

    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm, crashemt said:
    Is there any mechanism for an en masse recall of both Houses of Congress?

    Yeah, it’s called the Declaration Of Independence:

    Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

    But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

  18. #18
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm, TXRose said:

    The NYT and Pelosi are still trumpeting that , in so many words, the majority of the American people are
    in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants and are, by
    and large, in favor of illegal immigration. They can not
    be moved. They are so dug in that to admit they are
    wrong is impossible!

  19. #19
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    …but they came here to work. Talking out of both sides of their mouths, yet again.

  20. #20
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Much like their stance on the war.

  21. #21
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm, TXRose said:

    Thank you WarTip. Now, how do we get all of the knee
    jerk libs to vote against their pet incumbents?

  22. #22
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pm, bear1909 said:

    A little too cut and dried, Volpe.

    Although you probably understand the emotion behind issues and actions of voters, you misunderstand a basic principle of selling.

    And feebie nailed it in her post #16.

    Although people “buy in” based on an emotional response and/or connection to the object of their desires, they move to action based on the reasoning they generate within themselves or identify on the outside coming from a source they feel they can trust.

    Then, they make it their own when they are satisfied that their action is consistent with their own best interests– survival needs first, followed by the gravy pyramid of growth and self-development.

  23. #23
    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:55 pm, WarTip said:

    TxRose, if I could figure that one out I would have done it already. If you find a way, let me know, I still have some kin down in the panhandle there. I would be more than happy to come back stateside if I thought I could handle the liberal garbage without getting sick or winding up in jail. If it were gone, I may even be once again Proud of what My Nation IS and not just of what it once was.

    Trouble is, the only way I see it … well it would not be pretty and I look terrible in a Sky Blue uniform. Pretty ugly would be about the best that I could do.

  24. #24
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:01 pm, bear1909 said:

    PS: Michelle Malkin deserves a Medal of Freedom for her yeowoman’s work on this issue. She is not some “Juanita Come Lately” to this issue and has a published body of work to show for it.

    Michelle Malkin doesn’t seem to be the type of journalist and media professional who has confused her career and civic duty to speak up for the positions that are being brushed aside by the Dhimmi machine in this country.

    So what that says to me, Mike, is that I don’t think anybody here needs to say that somehow she is the wrong type of messenger to win the hearts and minds of the bobbleheads out there who still don’t get it.

    I do think you should at least show some respect that her body of work and her coverage of the issue of illegal immigration and S-Chip is useful for fighting back and defeating the illegal immigration lobby and it’s stooges in Congress.

    You seem to have a bug in your bonnet about Michelle Malkin that appears to be a little weird and envious.

  25. #25
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:04 pm, Papa Louie said:

    …the S-CHIP program she’s talking about is not just poor children. It’s “children” up to the age of 25. It’s families with three or four times the poverty level of income! That’s not what the American people want a health program “for poor kids” to be about.
    -Rush Limbaugh

    The S-CHIP program is a good example of why I have a problem with Republicans who call themselves “compassionate conservatives.” Now, I don’t have anything against people being as compassionate as they want on their own dime. The problem is, when it comes to public funded programs like S-CHIP, you have to draw the line somewhere. When you do draw that line, like Pres. Bush did on S-CHIP, the left will start screaming that you have no heart and you “hate the children.” It doesn’t matter where you draw the line. It could be at 2 times, 4 times, or even 10 times the poverty level; the result would be the same. And if you don’t draw a line somewhere, you are no longer a conservative. You eventually become a left-wing socialist in a process described in another quote from Rush:

    …they got the S-CHIP program and they got Medicare and Medicaid on the other end, then they’ve got the middle class surrounded, and all that’s left to get national socialized medicine is to find your way into the middle class.

  26. #26
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:04 pm, bear1909 said:

    On December 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm, TXRose said:
    Thank you WarTip. Now, how do we get all of the knee
    jerk libs to vote against their pet incumbents?

    there is a story out today about the jitters some of the less than senior congressional candidates for 08 are feeling because they are being forced to appease the Clinton machine.

    They might get unseated if they are viewed by conservatives voters (both parties) as being out of touch along with Clinton.

    The story is on the blog side bar on this site.

    The more Hillary maneuvers the more she is putting her feet in concrete.

  27. #27
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:06 pm, Boomer said:

    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:01 pm, bear1909 said:
    PS: Michelle Malkin deserves a Medal of Freedom for her yeowoman’s work on this issue. She is not some “Juanita Come Lately” to this issue and has a published body of work to show for it.

    As usual bear1909 you are on target giving Kudos to Michelle for keeping her loyal readers in the loop. With the information coming out of the MSM we wouldn’t have a clue of what is going on with this issue. We are well served by the new media and the efforts of those bloggers working their butts off to keep us informed.

  28. #28
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:10 pm, TXRose said:

    When I was a child, we lived on the border for four
    years, (and I mean, right on the border where we could look across to Mexico ) and I can remember the
    border patrol fathers of my friends talking about finding women trying to have their babies in bushes on the American side so they could stay in this country. I know that one friend and I were not supposed to hear two fathers talking about catching
    these women and hustling them and their babies back
    across. I asked an aunt about what they did and she
    said they were doing America a favor. I wasn’t so
    sure back then, but I am now.
    I really wish they would go back to the original meaning of the 14th Amendment. Those anchor
    babies are the bane of this country.
    I also know that illegal immigration can be a death
    sentence. There are cities that are having to spend
    so much money burying illegals that have died trying to get here. Yes, I can understand following a dream, but come here legally and I will welcome
    you with open arms.

  29. #29
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm, WarTip said:

    I read it Bear but sadly in my heart I just do not think enough people will actually take notice to inconsequential details like facts, figures or other such matters when their feeeeeeeelings are so much more important. This site is one of very few that give me any hope at all that I am not alone.

    About the comments regarding MM, my shining beacon there is that whether it is right or left she ALWAYS sees it clearly as right and wrong no matter what side of the fence it falls on.

    Medals? Kudos? If we had politicians like her I would still have faith.

  30. #30
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:25 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    Incrementalism is the government’s best tool against stealing all our freedoms. Welcome the new world order one illegal alien at a time. “Borders? We don’t need no stinking borders!”

  31. #31
    On December 4th, 2007 at 2:38 pm, twoninerkilo said:

    Throw the bums out.

  32. #32
    On December 4th, 2007 at 3:05 pm, right_on said:

    If we use the emotional tactic…we are no better than them e.g. “you don’t care about the children…bs”.

    I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…Democrats will always approach an issue they support emotionally. Uneducated, shallow minds have to work too hard to address these issues logically, based on actual facts. By using an emotional appeal, Democrats have relieved their constituancy of having to ponder the facts of a position.

    You know they have stirred their base with the right tenor when we start hearing “you don’t care about blah blah blah, and you suck! from their idiots.

    We need to figure out a way to get the smart people involved and voting again.

  33. #33
    On December 4th, 2007 at 3:09 pm, Alphonse said:

    Hope in on the way. The borrow-and-spend libs are putting this country in such a hole that illegals are returning home for better opportunity.

  34. #34
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:07 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Hope in on the way. The borrow-and-spend libs are putting this country in such a hole that

    Somehow this feels like a Shrillery supporter comment. Yep, the tax and spend savior will help us out and give us the million things she wants to do but can’t afford so she will place the burden on me (and you).

    illegals are returning home for better opportunity.

    We have a Clinton to thank for that too. Slick Willy signed NAFTA with 18 months to go in office knowing full well the head count of the jobless would be accounted to the Republicans. Last time I tried to buy a Saturn auto, it was 80% assembled in Mexico. The Honda I bought was made (mostly) in the USA but is a foreign car.

    Now, the tax and spend savior wants to give free health care to non-citizens and have Americas pay for it? What part do liberals not get?

    P.S. If they are returning home, why are you calling them illegals?

  35. #35
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:08 pm, sdillard said:

    I work in the welfare bidness here in California. In my county alone, we have over 1000 illegal alien adults who are caretaker relatives of US born citizen children. We are required to provide “emergency Medicaid” to these adults, even though they are illegally here. This includes ER visits, childbirth, all immunizations, etc. The Medicaid cost in California last year was 34 BILLION dollars. This new bill is just another attempt to mandate universal coverage of everyone without regard to citizenship or alien status. It needs to be defeated….NOW.

  36. #36
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:09 pm, TXRose said:

    Good article Alphonse. I know that a lot of people are
    flying into Mexico and walking across the border. We can expect some Muslims to blend in and walk across.
    In fact, I heard a border patrol agent, on the TX border, say that he had apprehended several Middle
    Easterners coming across the river.
    I also knew that a lot of Irish had gone home because
    their economy has really turned around. Maybe other
    countries will become better economically and other
    illegals will head home.
    Hey, maybe some of these Liberals will go to other
    countries in order to make more money. One can
    only hope.

  37. #37
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm, gandolphxx said:

    Democraps are determined to take money from citizens and give it to invaders to ensure votes - we really need to consider dealing with this issue.

  38. #38
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:19 pm, docflash said:

    I’ve been told by some pretty smart people to never vote for an incumbent.Somehow a movement needs to start to vote them all out.Everyone has their favorites and there are some good ones but they all need to be out and lets start over.Maybe a new congress will get the message of the will of the people.Any ideas on how to get this going?

  39. #39
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:20 pm, bear1909 said:

    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:08 pm, sdillard said:
    I work in the welfare bidness here in California. In my county alone, we have over 1000 illegal alien adults who are caretaker relatives of US born citizen children. We are required to provide “emergency Medicaid” to these adults, even though they are illegally here. This includes ER visits, childbirth, all immunizations, etc. The Medicaid cost in California last year was 34 BILLION dollars. This new bill is just another attempt to mandate universal coverage of everyone without regard to citizenship or alien status. It needs to be defeated….NOW.

    This is why leftards are screaming about how much the war in Iraq is costing.

    Screw em. Throw them and their kids out back to Mexico and elsewhere, where the way of life is so wonderful.

    Pish.

  40. #40
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:25 pm, Speakup said:

    When our leaders, elected or appointed are determined to betray our wishes they will not stop returning to their own agenda until they are run out of office.

    No matter what they may say, if we turn our backs on them even for a second they will cowardly and immorally try, try again their underhanded self serving ways.

    Imagine all the years before the internet when back room agendas had little if any resistance.

    Before an election when candidates are chosen its time to force the issue and then vote in moral individuals who won’t by hook or crook stick a knife in our backs even when we aren’t watching every second.

  41. #41
    On December 4th, 2007 at 4:32 pm, Concerned Citizen said:

    Can somebody please tell me why Congress is so eager to give away our sovereignty?

    I just don’t understand the whole “Open Borders” thing. There are thousands of reason against it, but the only argument ever made in return is to call us racists.

  42. #42
    On December 4th, 2007 at 5:27 pm, TXRose said:

    Open borders would let in even more drugs than what
    is already coming in from Mexico.
    Open borders would also let criminals cross and recross the border at will. Now that would be a law
    enforcement nightmare. I know that it is already
    happening but not like it could be with open borders.
    We’re already seeing a rise in diseases that once were
    nearly wiped out. I do not buy Tyson products because
    they employ illegals and while they test them when they are hired on, I do not know if they are retested to see if they had been incubating a disease when
    they were first hired.
    With open borders, we would really see these diseases as a usual instead of a rarity in our country.

  43. #43
    On December 4th, 2007 at 5:30 pm, AuntiEm said:

    Heard on Neil Cavuto show today that there are corporate lawyers volunteering to represent illegals being deported pro bono.Sixty of them in Caifornia. I’m not understanding what the constitutional rights of illegals are? But if the corporations are having their attornies do this, they must be feeling the pinch.

  44. #44
    On December 4th, 2007 at 5:57 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I’d like to know too why some politicians want every last Mexican on earth here in this country getting freebies. Sorry, I’m not a racist just a realist.

  45. #45
    On December 4th, 2007 at 8:58 pm, WarTip said:

    Why allow illegals (Not just Mexicans by the way) to remain here? IMHO These occurrences can be clarified by looking at the Worker’s Party Union Supporters passing legislation such as Nafta and Cafta which were precursors (Roads leading to) the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

  46. #46
    On December 5th, 2007 at 12:55 am, Jim M. said:

    I am certain that the concept of citizenship by birth never envisioned one’s birth in the US being the result of an illegal act.

    There is precedent in this Country for denying benefits to those who break the law. We do not allow murderers to profit by selling the rights to their stories to the media. We do not allow people who benefit from a bank’s mistake in over crediting their account to keep the money. We make people who trade on insider information disgorge any profits they made as a result of that information.

    There is a concept in the law of evidence known as the “fruit of the poisonous tree”. Specifically, evidence obtained in violation of a person’s Fourth Amendment rights may not be used in a case against them. Having been obtained unlawfully, the evidence or fruit is “poisoned” and thus excluded from evidence.

    We are seeing a very similar parallel with anchor babies; their birth in this Country is the direct result of an unlawful act. And that unlawful act should conceivably poison their claim to citizenship. In the case of many countries, like Mexico, those born in the US of alien parents are still citizens of the parent’s country, so they are not without a country.

    It is high time we started to engage in some objective and critical thought. Anchor babies born of illegal aliens should not have all the rights of citizenship as children of US citizens or those in this Country legally. Their birth here is a continuation of an illegal act, and should in no way be rewarded with citizenship status.

  47. #47
    On December 5th, 2007 at 11:29 am, TXRose said:

    Great argument Jim. The 14th Amendment was for the
    children of freed slaves and not for children of people
    in this country illegally. That was done by a liberal
    SCOTUS. If we could reverse that decision, we just
    might be able to stop, or at least slow the wholesale
    illegal entries into this country because they wouldn’t
    have their anchor babies to help them stay here. We
    could also stop talking about amnesty. Even a mention of that word starts an avalanche.

  48. #48
    On December 5th, 2007 at 12:23 pm, Salt said:

    Well said, JimM.

    Care to run for Congress? :)

  49. #49
    On December 5th, 2007 at 2:55 pm, Ignorant Mensan said:

    I just have to leave my favorite blogs someyimes. I get sooooo discouraged.

    If I could, I’d join the Minutemen and the Gathering of Eagles.

    I FEEL SO HELPLESS. i am 65 years old, widowed twicce, survived cancer twice, and am physically unable to do many things (even for myself) and am watching my wonderful country swirling around the drain.

    I can at least, go to NumbersUSA and swear (figuratively) and fax, e-mail, and call Congresscritters. But every time I get one of their putrid form replies, I want to upchuck. I have begun making notations in the margins and returning them. But I so long to do SOMETHING to make a difference.

    Are any others this frustrated and depressed?

  50. #50
    On December 5th, 2007 at 3:03 pm, TXRose said:

    Chin up Mensan. We all get down at times and it sounds like you are doing a lot as it is. Just because
    you cannot physically do something doesn’t mean that
    you cannot participate. Keep using that wonderful
    brain God gave you. That’s much more than those in
    DC are doing.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Operation Destroy Joe the Plumber

October 17, 2008 12:02 AM by Michelle Malkin

332 Comments | 118 Trackbacks

It depends on the meaning of “working poor”

March 31, 2008 09:00 PM by Michelle Malkin

24 Comments | 5 Trackbacks

Sinking S-CHIP.

The Trojan Horse S-CHIP Republicans

January 23, 2008 08:15 PM by Michelle Malkin

38 Comments | 1 Trackback

S-CHIP: Here we go again; Update: Override fails, roll call vote added

January 23, 2008 10:56 AM by Michelle Malkin

70 Comments | 6 Trackbacks

Child exploitation.

The Democrats play their S-CHIP again

January 22, 2008 10:54 AM by Michelle Malkin

23 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Kiddie care.


Categories: Graeme Frost


Weekly Standard

» Puzzle