It would appear that since Comprehensive Immigration Reform has been put on the back burner, immigrant-hater groups are jumping on other issues to spread their lies.  The latest from the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigration group with ties to FAIR and other hate-groups, takes aim at Health Care Reform.

It would appear that since Comprehensive Immigration Reform has been put on the back burner, immigrant-hater groups are jumping on other issues to spread their lies.  The latest from the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigration group with ties to FAIR and other hate-groups, takes aim at Health Care Reform.

Their new report claims that millions of unauthorized immigrants will receive federally subsidized health-benefits under H.R. 3200 (America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009), and that American taxpayers will be forced to pay for it.  The report goes on to say the new law could give health insurance to 6.6 million unauthorized immigrants at an annual cost to the federal government (and, hence, the taxpayer) of $30.5 billion.  Let the fear and anger ensue!

The group lays its assumptions on the flawed premise that there is no “enforcement mechanism” preventing this from happening.  However, current law prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving government health benefits.  As was pointed out by the Congressional Research Service last month, H.R. 3200 includes existing restrictions on unauthorized immigrants under such programs as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Further, H.R. 3200 specifically states that "Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States."

The basic facts lay the explosive claims to waste.  Unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for these benefits now...and they will not be eligible under H.R.  3200.  This is just another inflammatory red herring in an already complex dialogue.