In this time of bitter partisanship, there are still a few issues that Republicans, Democrats and Independents can agree on. One of those issues is providing taxpayer-subsidized benefits to illegal aliens. The American people are overwhelmingly opposed to the idea.
More Information:
My friend, Gary Bauer, writes:

To give you some sense of the issue’s potency, consider the results of a June poll by Scott Rasmussen, conducted as the healthcare reform debate was getting started.

At that time, 65% of likely voters supported the idea of providing access to quality healthcare for all Americans. But 80% of likely voters were opposed to the idea of covering illegal aliens as part of any reform bill.

Faced with polling data like that, it was immediately clear that covering illegals could be the “Achilles Heel” of healthcare reform. It also explains why the proponents of “reform” have so stridently condemned any suggestion that ObamaCare might cover illegal aliens.

In fact, when President Obama held his conference call last week with leftwing religious leaders to urge their support for this government takeover of healthcare, he singled out as the “first myth” the concerns of many that illegal aliens would be covered.

The president went on to accuse his critics of “bearing false witness.”

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, even the liberal media are calling the president out for saying that abortion will not be covered in his push for healthcare reform. As I’ve blogged, this may be the new Roe v Wade debate.
But now, there is more evidence that the president and other proponents of this “reform” bill are misleading the American people on the issue of illegal aliens. Bauer says:

According to Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, a new report by the Congressional Research Service flatly contradicts claims by Obama and other liberal Democrats that illegal aliens will not be covered.

For those who may not be familiar with the Congressional Research Service, it has nearly 700 employees, including “more than 450 policy analysts, attorneys, information professionals and experts in a variety of disciplines.” It has been described as Congress’ think tank. The CRS report states:

“Under H.R. 3200, a ‘Health Insurance Exchange’ would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option … H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens — whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently — participating in the Exchange.”

Now, I can already anticipate your next question: “But doesn’t the legislation specifically state that illegal aliens are not eligible?”

To that question, Rep. Smith answered:

“Democrats point to language in the House bill that says illegal immigrants cannot get benefits. While that may be technically accurate, it is far from the truth. The fact is that the statement is meaningless because the bill contains no verification mechanism to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive benefits. Democrats defeated amendments in two congressional committees to close this loophole, including amendments that would use the very same verification mechanism that already exist in statute for other federal programs.”

Healthcare reform that requires people of faith who oppose abortion to pay for it? Healthcare reform that requires healthcare professionals of faith to either go against their deeply held moral beliefs, or not practice medicine? Healthcare reform that pays for illegal aliens? Healthcare reform that rations care – particularly at the end of life.
Is this what most Americans want?
I don’t think so. But, what do you think?