Joe Wilson Voted To Provide Taxpayer Money For Illegal Immigrants' Healthcare

Open Congress:

On Wednesday night, Rep. Joe Wilson [R, SC-2], shouted "You lie!" at President Obama when he said that the healthcare bill would not cover illegal immigrants. "The supporters of the government takeover of healthcare and liberals who want to give healthcare to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan," Wilson said the next day in a campaign fundraising video.

However, in 2003, Wilson voted to provide federal funds for illegal immigrants' healthcare. The vote came on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which contained Sec. 1011 authorizing $250 million annually between 2003 and 2008 for government reimbursements to hospitals who provide treatment for uninsured illegal immigrants. The program has been extended through 2009 and there is currently a bipartisan bill in Congress to make it permanent.

Read the whole story: Open Congress

Comments

[Edgar Martinez]

10:19 AM on 09/22/2009

The libs are trying to create hypocrecy were there isn't any.
If Rep. Wilson would have any say, he would eliminate the free emergency health care to illegal aliens. Since he can't do anything about that, he wants the federal government to pay states for illegal aliens and expose the true cost.

[macrumpton]

01:11 PM on 09/21/2009

You mean he was for it before he was against it?

[hyperexcel]

12:54 AM on 09/21/2009

This doesn't really condemn him that much, unfortunately. The bill retroactively "covered" illegal immigrants by giving hospitals the money they spent treating them, in the same way the government picks up the tab for other people without insurance who can't pay.

Still, Joe's a jerk.

[Brittanicus]

04:28 PM on 09/17/2009

THIS IS NOT ABOUT RACISM, BUT AN ULTIMATE FINANCIAL MATTER OF SURVIVAL FOR US ALL! Coincidentally, I want a government health care, specially for some low income American family members.

Insist your politicians guarantee E-Verify is fully funded and is not scuttled by Sen. Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Janet Napolitano or any other high ranking Democrats. The Washington switchboard has their number at 202-224-3121. Research these laws, true facts and incredulous stats at NUMBERSUSA & JUDICIAL WATCH

[Brittanicus]

04:28 PM on 09/17/2009

This is just one taxpayer example of the 'Rule of law' that has cost taxpayers billions of dollars. A nurse admitted last weekend, according to Review-Journal reported that cash-strapped UMC hospital in Nevada is providing more than $20 million a year in emergency dialysis care for uninsured, illegal immigrants. Is American society insane when poverty stricken Americans are turned away, go bankrupt and sometimes die? TAXPAYERS ARE TAXED FOR THIS, BUT NOT FOR OUR OWN PEOPLE? We must insist that a Birthright Citizenship lawsuit be filed with the federal court and its original intent revisited? That E-Verify should be fully funded and a highly skilled MIT team, building on the original Immigration enforcement database to a highest level of security that cannot be compromised by the use of fraudulent documents.

The PC oriented application must be installed permanently on every business computer across this country? ICE should have the manpower to audit every workplace, with the power to arrest and detain employers who snub immigration laws? Repeat offenders should be dealt with harshly, including prison and confiscation of business assets. There should be no mitigating excuses because illegal immigrants are—STEALING JOBS-- on any rung of the employment ladder? These employers for years have been an intended magnet for destitute labor in many cases, but have left the burden of paying for schooling for the children, health care and a veiled miscellaneous core of government handouts to US taxpayers.

[wadda]

08:15 PM on 09/20/2009

We could just tattoo ID numbers on everbody's wrists and have ID chips implanted in the nape of the neck for national identification....or we could treat individual health as a public health issue.

No ID...just people.

[Brittanicus]

04:27 PM on 09/17/2009

Its time to re-examine instant citizenship (Anchor babies) which hasn't been illuminated enough, to growing concern of the American public. For decades now pregnant women have arrived on tourist’s visas, through the fence and even at ports of call. Very aware of our mis-interpreted law governing "birthright citizenship", that attributes full rights to the Mother of an illegal immigrant. How can Americans benefit from this Health care reform package, when we must subsidize millions of households and not just the original interloper? Outlined in the spring issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is an article that will stun a prudent person. An illegal alien entered the states in 1997 to work as a fruit picker, bringing with him his wife and three children; all illegal aliens.

The lady gave birth to a fourth child, and with that birth the family had an "anchor baby"—an American citizen by birth, who provided the entire family with a free pass to remain in the United States permanently and collect government, subsides. Unfortunately the baby was born prematurely, spent three months in the neonatal incubator, and cost the San Joaquin Hospital more than $300,000. Meanwhile, the oldest daughter married an illegal alien and gave birth to her own anchor baby, and then Cristobal’s wife gave birth to yet another baby. ALL PAID FOR BY—YOU!

[Begrateful]

08:37 AM on 09/14/2009

YOU, REP. JOE WILSON, ARE A DISGRACE TO THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM.

YOU LIE!! YOU LIE!!!

[Clayton139]

03:08 PM on 09/14/2009

I agree !

Why isn't this on Network and Cable News ? ? !

[NHGranite]

11:36 PM on 09/13/2009

Joe "I voted for it but I don't want you to vote for it" Wilson. Doesn't that mean he lied?

[thegreatstu]

08:33 PM on 09/13/2009

So, he was telling the truth when he stated "You Lie." Obama obviously was aware of the bill. I do not condone his actions, there is certian protocol to be followed, and calling the president, now matter who it is a liar in the house is bad form. But, the truth is, the president lied to America...

[seelieme]

09:01 PM on 09/13/2009

How do you figure that? How did the President lie? Seems to me the thrust of the article is about Turetting Mr. Wilson, no?

[listentome]

12:24 AM on 09/14/2009

Ok, maybe you will understand this directed at you. "You Lie!" Don't you understand the article is about Wilson voting to cover illegals with medical care?

[edwarvir]

08:00 PM on 09/13/2009

Hypocrite has slective memory.

[bongogirl]

01:46 PM on 09/13/2009

GOPers have yet to realize that their confederate mentality is not going to work; NO NOT THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!!

[nobillary1]

12:51 PM on 09/13/2009

Typical hypocrisy that we've come to expect from the GOP.

[HLL]

12:39 PM on 09/13/2009

Rob Miller, the Democratic Iraq war veteran who is running against Wilson next year, has raised nearly $900,000 since Wilson called President Obama a liar.

To donate to Rob Miller: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079

I gave $25 bucks and I'm not even from South Carolina. I just feel that after Sanford and Wilson, South Carolina needs a break, as do the American people.

[thegreatstu]

08:38 PM on 09/13/2009

And, Wilson received over 750,000...Who really cares? If the public option rammed through the house and senate in a partisan bill, there will not be any dims who's jobs will be secure...

[listentome]

12:27 AM on 09/14/2009

The folks who have decided that have already decided they will not vote for a democrat. So, the Democrats would be wise to vote for Healthcare Reform.

[madcat007]

03:04 PM on 09/14/2009

And only repugs vote against their own best interests...

[billbee]

07:39 PM on 09/14/2009

Thank you, but help us understand by the actblue site claims to not be "authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee"?

Is this a legitimate site or not?

[chicagurl]

12:30 PM on 09/13/2009

On September 3rd, thousands gathered in downtown Seattle to protest FOR President Obama's health care. There was no word on it in the Seattle Times. I wrote and complained about their lack of coverage, then noted that they had covered several contentious town hall meetings. Of course they didn't print my letter, but they did send a letter back saying they really didn't cover rallies, but they had covered several town hall meetings on the subject of health care reform. (Duh!)

Imagine my surprise this morning, September 13, to find this on the first page, "Masses flock to D.C. to vent on Obama, course of country." Guess they'll make an exception to rally coverage if it's against health care reform.

I'm trying to get the word out on how the media treats this issue.

[Kevin Lewis]

02:52 PM on 09/13/2009

I live on Whidbey Island, and I never heard of a support rally for Obama's healthcare in print or on TV. I find that interesting and disturbing at the same time.

[thegreatstu]

08:40 PM on 09/13/2009

Did you hear the guy from Oak Harbor at the rally in DC on Saturday...Glad to see those from NAS Whidbey Island were present to support the 912 project...

[Begrateful]

08:40 AM on 09/14/2009

I did notice that -- and I stand by my statement --- this has to do with the fact that our president is Africian American. They want him to fail.

[goodnews7]

12:08 PM on 09/13/2009

Republicans theme song: Enjoy! http://everything2.com/title/dixie