[AAACE-NLA] FW: Of Interest to ESL Providers

Mon Jun 23 17:57:32 EDT 2003

As primarily a health issue alert, the following message would not
normally appear on the AAACE-NLA list, but, due to the restrictive
policies currently in effect for all of the NIFL-hosted lists, it is
posted here as a favor to Debbie Yoho, NIFL-Health Listserv
Co-moderator.

David

David Collings
AAACE-NLA Moderator
david at collings.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Debbie Yoho [mailto:dwyoho at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 5:10 PM
To: aaace-nla
Subject: Of Interest to ESL Providers

Dear Friends:  The following may be of interest.  Read on:

"Dora, thanks for providing me with this information and for running it
by me before posting it to a NIFL list. My advice is not to post it,
because I think in the long run it could do more harm than good. The
lists, as you may know, seem to be under scrutiny by people in the
administration and in Congress. I believe they are itching, actively
looking, for a reason to demand the lists be shut down. (My opinion.)
This information could provide such an excuse. Instead, I am sending it
to a non-NIFL list of National Literacy Advocates, along with this
message to you. In that forum we are free to advocate as you are
suggesting. Thanks, Debbie"

The Bush Administration, yesterday, moved to undermine the strong
progress advocates have made in recent days toward restoring basic
health care to lawfully present immigrant pregnant women and children.
Provision for such a restoration is included in the Medicare
prescription drug bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee last week
and now being debated on the Senate floor. Specifically, the committee
prescription drug bill incorporates the provisions of the Immigrant
Children's Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) which gives states the option
to provide health coverage for pregnant women and children in their
Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). 

In a three-page letter to Senate leaders outlining the Administration's
position on the Medicare prescription drug package, the Administration
expressly opposed the inclusion of the restoration in the Medicare bill
saying that it "contradict[s] current welfare reform policy and should
not be undone in Medicare reform legislation." The relevant section of
the letter is attached below.

The Senate is currently debating the Medicare prescription drug bill
(Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003) (S.1). Senate
leaders plan to end debate and take a vote on the bill before they leave
for the July 4th recess, which is scheduled to start on June 30th. ICHIA
survived efforts to strip the provision from the bill in committee but
Senators who oppose the restoration could still offer amendments to
remove the provision during the Senate floor debate on the Medicare
bill.

We need to make our voices heard in support of ICHIA NOW. The Children's
Defense Fund has set up a mechanism for sending letters to your Senators
in support of ICHIA straight from their website. To send a letter,
click: http://update.c.tclk.net/maabbLNaaYJSKa3Nexnb/ A copy of the
letter is included below.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ALERT TO YOUR NETWORKS IMMEDIATELY.

ICHIA would give states the option to provide health coverage to legal
immigrant children and pregnant women through Medicaid and the State
Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Due to a provision included
in the 1996 welfare reform law, states are denied federal funding for
coverage for legal immigrant children and pregnant women for five years
after they enter the country. Understanding the importance of providing
health insurance to their residents, some 20 states have created and are
funding on their own programs to provide immigrant children and pregnant
women with such coverage. Currently, states are facing the worst fiscal
crises since World War II, making it more and more difficult for them to
support these important programs. Maintaining the ICHIA provision in S.
1 would give the Senate the opportunity to restore the federal-state
partnership, which jointly provided health coverage to legal immigrants
prior to 1996.

Legal immigrant parents are disproportionately engaged in low-wage jobs
that often do not provide access to health insurance, making it
difficult for them to afford health care coverage for their children.
Passage of this legislation would have a significant impact on these
low-income, working immigrant families. The Congressional Budget Office
has estimated that 155,000 children and 60,000 pregnant women a year
would receive needed health coverage upon full implementation of ICHIA. 

The ICHIA legislation is supported by the National Governors
Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Children's Defense
Fund, National Council of La Raza, and hundreds of other health
provider, health advocacy, and children's organizations.

Oppose any amendments to delete the ICHIA provisions from the Medicare
prescription drug legislation and to oppose amendments to modify the
substance of the ICHIA provisions.

EXCERPT FROM ADMINISTRATION LETTER

"In addition, the Administration opposes the bill's provisions
concerning Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) coverage for legal immigrants. These provisions contradict
current welfare reform policy and should not be undone in Medicare
reform legislation. The Administration has proposed substantial new
State flexibility as part of Medicaid and SCHIP reform, and coverage for
legal immigrants should be examined in that context."

If you would like a copy of the entire statement, please click:
http://update.c.tclk.net/maabbLNaaYJSLa3Nexnb/ 

Below is the link to a great piece in today's Miami Herald highlighting
the importance of ICHIA and reiterating Governor Jeb Bush's support for
the legislation. www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/6128901.htm
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

Los Angeles Office: 213-639-3900
(General calls and requests for materials)

Washington, D.C. Office: 202-216-0261
(Calls regarding policy issues)

Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
President, SC Adult Literacy Educators
Executive Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
2728 Devine Street,  Columbia, SC  29205
803-765-2555   Fax  803-779-8417   dwyoho at earthlink.net