Is there a copy of the health care bill that we the American people can examine? We are told it will not apply to illegal immigrants. What language is in the bill to keep Congress from making all current illegal immigrants now legal and therefore eligible for health care? Also, some states are writing bills opting out of the health care bill. This is a states' rights issue. Has Utah considered such a bill?
Larry W.
The public has long had access to the different health reform bills passed by the House and Senate. What is not yet available is any negotiated compromise among Democrats, which they are still drafting.
The health reform bills are available at Thomas.gov. Search the site by bill number. The House version is H.R. 3962, while the Senate version is H.R. 3590. Be warned, however, that they are long and complicated.
Turning to your question about immigration, both the House and Senate versions would prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving new federal subsidies meant to make insurance more affordable. Yet these bills differ when it comes to proposed government-regulated marketplaces, known as "exchanges," where people who are not covered through their jobs could buy insurance.
The House bill is intentionally silent on this issue. That means immigrants in the U.S. illegally could use their own money to buy a plan through the exchange, including a proposed government-run plan.
The Senate bill would block undocumented immigrants from accessing the exchange at all, whether they use their own money or not.
Under current law, undocumented immigrants generally have no access to federal health programs, though many buy their own policies in the private market.
As for states opting out of federal health care reform, Utah lawmakers have debated several states' rights bills targeting federal reform. Most of the Utah bills are resolutions meant to send a message to Congress.
But one bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, would ban Utah agencies from implementing any part of the new federal legislation without first reporting to the governor and Legislature.
HB67 passed the House and Senate in party-line votes and now heads to Gov. Gary Herbert, who is expected to sign it.
Do you have a question about health care reform? Have you heard something you don't understand or you'd like us to investigate? Send your question to hcreform@sltrib.com and our reporting team will answer it.
