Congressman: Expand Obamacare to Undocumented Immigrants

Roll Call – by David Eldridge

Rep Luis V. Gutiérrez, one of Congress’ most outspoken advocates for immigrants, on Wednesday called for expanding the Affordable Care Act to cover all of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States.

“The goal is to make integration and inclusion real for millions of families that are locked out under current law,” the Illinois Democrat said in a floor speech introducing his proposed legislation.  

Gutierrez, D-Ill., speaks during a House Democrats' news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, to discuss plans to educate immigrant communities for the implementation of the executive actions on immigration announced by President Obama in November. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

“As it stands right now, undocumented immigrants are not subject to the individual mandate and cannot buy into health insurance exchanges even if they use their own money.  My legislation will change that.  It says that we stand for inclusion.”

Citing last week’s papal address to Congress (the pope repeatedly urged U.S. lawmakers to follow “the Golden Rule”), Gutiérrez said: “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you means moving forward with no restrictions on which brother and sister and neighbor we think of as ‘eligible’ or ‘deserving.’”

The Gutiérrez proposal faces long odds in the House, where proposals to overhaul immigration have been stymied by Republicans who say the federal government has to address holes in border security first.

Here’s video of the congressman’s remarks on the House floor early Wednesday:

http://www3.blogs.rollcall.com/218/congressman-expand-obamacare-to-undocumented/

7 thoughts on “Congressman: Expand Obamacare to Undocumented Immigrants

  1. “As it stands right now, undocumented immigrants are not subject to the individual mandate and cannot buy into health insurance exchanges even if they use their own money.”

    And they’re stupid enough to do so, given the opportunity.

    Cha-CHING!!!

  2. It makes my stomach turn so much to see how far our Capital has fallen. An elected official can openly state his support for enabling and funding unknown lawbreakers, with law abiding taxpayer funds, and still remain in office! There should be measures in place to remove people like this, without having to vote them out. It is sick to see how twisted their world is all because they might have a friend or relative it affects. Why did you want to become a politician if you don’t believe in the laws that you were swore in under to uphold? This alone should cause immediate termination!

  3. “Rep Luis V. Gutiérrez, one of Congress’ most outspoken advocates for immigrants, on Wednesday called for expanding the Affordable Care Act to cover all of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States.”

    They are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, YOU COMMIE PIECE OF SHIT!!!! 😡 S

    Stop calling them “undocumented”. GRR!!!! 😡

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