Bill Before Congress Would Extend Health Insurance to Children of Legal Immigrants Sooner

The New York Times reports that Congress will likely pass a bill to provide health insurance to millions of low-income children. Similar legislation was twice vetoed by President Bush in 2007.

Under the proposed legislation, states would have the option to restore health insurance benefits to legal immigrants under 21 as well as pregnant women. Currently, legal immigrants are barred from Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program for the first five years after they enter the United States.

It is estimated that 400,000 to 600,000 immigrant children are affected by the restriction currently in place. The Times notes that:

Among children, legal immigrants are less likely to
receive immunizations and routine dental care.

and

[A]mong women, legal immigrants are less likely to receive
prenatal care.

Opponents of the bill argue that the original purpose of program—to serve the children of the working poor—has not been fulfilled, raising concerns about extending it to legal immigrants and others groups not originally contemplated.

Others argue that the expected costs of the bill would be too great. The program currently covers about 6.6 million children and costs the federal government $5 billion a year. The Times estimates that the passage of the bill could double the annual expense of the program. The expanded program proposed by the new bill would be financed by tobacco taxes.

President-elect Obama has already expressed his support for allowing states to offer health insurance to legal immigrant children before the five-year waiting period is met.

Generally, the bill is garnering significant support from various sectors. Many people feel that all children should have health insurance. There is great support for this proposition as well. By extending health insurance to more children including legal immigrants, not only will children in need of care be provided for, but by providing greater access to preventive care, states will reduce overall health care costs .