o'who? playing defense on healthcare for illegal aliens

 From: Jim Robb NumbersUSA Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009  Subject: We've got momentum on illegal-alien healthcare

source: http://www.numbersusa.com

This time last month, Congress was ready to go on recess.  In late July, only our allies in Congress had admitted the obvious:   Congress' main healthcare bill (H.R. 3200) was written to allow illegal aliens to easily slip into subsidized healthcare programs meant for Americans.
In a letter I wrote to you a month ago, I asked for many of you to go to your Congressmen's town hall meetings and speak up to expose this huge loophole that would cost taxpayers billions.  I also asked you to fax and phone Congress.  Of course, Roy asked you to do the same things in his blogs and Action Alerts. We provided faxes, talking points, and directions to town hall meetings.

The exciting news is that many of you DID go. Our issue WAS raised.  A month ago, I had little hope our issue would get much attention, since the focus of the healthcare debate was on several other hot button issues.

Well, about 10 days ago, I started seeing in newspapers that Americans at town hall meetings were raising this issue over and over again with Congressmen on their home turf.  Politely.  Knowledgeably, but firmly.  "No free healthcare for Illegal Aliens."  And, "Change H.R. 3200 to require mandatory verification of legal residency for subsidized healthcare."
Many open-borders Members of Congress got red and even purple-faced, denying that their bill would do any such thing.  But most of our friends in Congress, those with good immigration gradecards, freely agreed that the bill was [is] a  blank check to defraud the American taxpayer.
By last week, even President Obama felt he had to address this issue at a town hall meeting.  Naturally, he denied that illegal aliens would get the free healthcare.  But the point is that our issue has gone from back burner to front burner, where it belongs.  Now every news article discusses this issue.  Once again, our NumbersUSA members came through!
I say to President Obama and House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid, on behalf of the nearly 1 million members of NumbersUSA:

"There can be no health system reform until illegal aliens stop getting subsidized healthcare.  Period.  We'll shoot down the WHOLE THING if you refuse to fix this problem."

Why do we feel so strongly?  Listen to what our member Evelyn wrote me last week:

Thank you for e-mailing me.  I am one you speak of that live from month to month.  I also have paid in SS since 15.  My husband passed when my three children were young and I raised my children myself without all the state help.  I thought I would be protected when I reached this age.  I pay my rent and utilities,  I have help from my church for groceries or I wouldn't eat very well.  To say the least I am very unhappy with the fact that [illegal aliens] get all the medical free,   yet I can't receive the help I deserve.  I asked for physical therapy and was refused.  Yet being a retired nurse, I've seen illegal aliens lay in ICU running up hundreds of thousands in medical bills because they were running from police and were in car accidents. -- Evelyn J. of Arizona

Gary S. of New Mexico wrote that he has run up $32,000 in medical debts in the past two years even though he is insured!  And he's steamed that illegal aliens seem to find a way to get their healthcare without paying anything.
Obama's talking about pushing this healthcare bill and the cap-and-trade bill through this Fall and then he'll turn to immigration.  That includes a mass amnesty for illegal aliens!
If we don't keep free healthcare for illegal aliens out of this healthcare bill. . . we're half beaten on amnesty already.
The ONLY way our side can even the odds is for members who have never given before to pitch in financially.  Did you know that NumbersUSA is UNIQUELY dependent on first-time donations?  So, even if it's only $5 and if you can afford it, please hit that red button and give a little today.

I don't know if you're in a position to make your first ever donation to NumbersUSA, but we are in a MAJOR legislative fight with this healthcare bill.  We haven't met the minimum for this month.  So if you're able to help this month, I would deeply appreciate it.   We do not take your dedicated volunteering or your sacrificial giving lightly.  I can promise you we budget very carefully to put your donations into the fight!  Thanks for your continued, unwavering trust and backing.

KEEP THE FAITH, AND NEVER GIVE UP! JIM ROBB, Vice President, Operations, NumbersUSA JimRobb@NumbersUSA.com


PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS SENTENCE!  If you are ill, unemployed, or living on a small fixed income, please do not contribute.   We only ask for help from those able to help. Numbers USA, 1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209

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