Representative Joe Wilson summarized the lack of respect that exists in our country towards those with other opinions by yelling at President Obama “Lie” during his address to a Joint Session of Congress and the nation.
While I am not prepared to offer commentary on a bill that has yet to be proposed, I would like to address the issue that Rep. Wilson addressed in that one word. Rep. Wilson yelled when President Obama said that there would not be benefits for people here illegally. The rudeness aside, was he right?
HB3200 specifically states that House version of the health care bill explicitly prohibits spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care coverage. Specifically the bill states “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully in the United States”. So what’s the issue? Well… with individual insurance guarantee-to-issue with no preex clause, AND a carrier may not rescind coverage, an illegal immigrant would be permitted to participate and benefit from that law. Ok, ok. That’s not a smoking gun that justifies the rudeness.
What is not in the bill is a provision or consideration that enables or outlines how that prohibition would be enforced nor is there any requirement for people to prove that they are here legally before receiving benefits. Perhaps this is an omission that will be corrected, right? Well….. A Republican amendment that would have required people to verify their legal status and eligibility for benefits was defeated by Democrats who argued that these requirements would be too burdensome for people entitled to benefits.
Since I wasn’t in the Ways and Means committee meeting, nor have I personally reviewed the minutes of the meeting, I am going to source the defeated amendment statement: (ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer Erica Werner, Associated Press Writer – Thu Sep 10, 6:00 pm ET)
Conclusion: Rep. Joe Wilson, Rude and highly inappropriate under any circumstance. Accuracy?: You tell me.