Joe Wilson Voted to Provide Taxpayer Money for Illegal Immigrants' Healthcare

September 11, 2009 - by Donny Shaw

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 $250,000 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.

Hospitals have a legal obligation to treat everyone who comes in seeking care, regardless of citizenship status, insurance or other characteristics. This means that hospitals treat millions of people every year who don’t have the means to pay. Obviously, this drives up the nation’s healthcare costs overall. Section 1011 helps cushion the costs for hospitals, but it’s not nearly enough to cover the actual costs in most areas.

To be fair, Section 1011 is just a small part of a much larger bill that contained many Republican priorities. Still, Wilson’s protest against the current healthcare reform proposal giving coverage to illegal immigrants (which is false), is in direct contradiction to his 2003 vote. Allowing illegal immigrants to purchase unsubsidized healthcare through the Exchange that would be set up under the current proposal wouldn’t cost taxpayers a cent, and it would be a step towards fixing the problem that Section 1011 was designed to throw federal money at.

Here are a few more links on Wilson and the healthcare reform bill:

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Anonymous 10/11/2009 8:50pm

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the man is a fool....even if that was his opinion he could have kept it to himself....cough cough kanye west cough cough.
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Anonymous 09/21/2009 8:26am

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This article is ridiculous. The headline is especially misleading. Wilson's vote was to reimburse hospitals. He was not voting to provide health care to illegals but to reimburse hospitals that were already required by law to provide health care to illegals. What a stupid rant.
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Anonymous 09/18/2009 1:09pm

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http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14201

Article is wrong, it's actually $250 Million and not Thousand.
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Anonymous 09/17/2009 9:18pm

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This article is a good example of liberally biased media. Ok, what Joe Wilson did to Obama wasn't a noble thing, but he already apologized. Can't you just move on?
As a legislator, he has every right to vote for any bill he wants. That's his job; people voted for him to do that and if they disapprove anything he's done, they'll decide on the election day. For you the liberally biased media, your job is to report what happened (i.e.he shouted at Obama), type in the facts, and give a title to your article. Don't manipulate the facts!
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Anonymous 09/16/2009 10:15am

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I would like to thank all of you that showed up Monday for the rally. You've made us proud.

-The Klan
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 12:29pm

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In order to progress to the future we MUST get out of the past.
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 10:06am

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Rep. Joe Wilson, R - SC should openly apologize for his lack of professionalism, decorum and disrespect towards the President, regardless of his opinion and viewpoints. It is blatent disrepect of the Commander in Chief on the House floor. It is not necessary to agree with everything and the President is not trying to please everyone; however, his job is vast and there is much on his plate as he works to navigate a turbulent economy. We should work together, now against each other and check attitudes at the door. Your 'Attitude is your Altitude'. Rep Wilson needs to get a grip; it's not about him...it's about improving the State of the Nation! No wonder we're kown as the arogant/ugly American.
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Anonymous 09/16/2009 3:59pm

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joe wilson DID openly apologise- once to the president and once in a general letter! by the way improving the state of the nation as our FREE nation cannot happen if bills like this are passed- they are clearly socialism!!
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 1:00am

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Obama asked us to judge him by the people he surrounds himself with well lets see; ACORN/SEIU are writing his ObamaCare and handing off to Reid & Pelosi and we have heard so many good things about all the good work ACORN/SEIU does this week haven't we?
How about Van Jones? now there's a model citizen.

Now he lies to a televised joint session of Congress and the American people and one Patriot doing his job as one of our watchdogs with the stones to call him on it does so; and he gets belittled when he was RIGHT, OBAMA LIED, Illegal Aliens, Abortions, Death Panels, Rationing, Costs and more.

Socialism - Sounds Like A Good Idea, Till You Run Out Of Other Peoples Money.

NoBamaCare
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 12:39am

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Obama isn't that the same brother that was the attorney of record for ACORN?, same brother in ACORN training films? mmm watch the news lately? They are advising Pimps and Prostitutes these days; besides the ACORN Voter Fraud in all the Swing States is just now getting to court; just in front of his Usurpation finally coming to light.

Obama that's the same brother from the state with the most corrupt politicians in history isn't it? The same guy whose near entire cabinet is made up of former Slick-Willie Clinton Administration members and or Illinois politicians?

Obama could not clean up feces if it was on his desk; the only thing he has shown us he knows how to do is put us in Generational Dept and be Pelosi & Reid's Puppet and rubber stamp us into Tax & Spend Oblivion. AND LIE LIKE A TYPICAL CHICAGO POLITICIAN

The Brother is no Brother, he's a double-stuffed Oreo, whitebreadmofo

Still waiting for the first Black President

Alan Keyes looks promising, at least he's a U.S. Citizen
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Anonymous 09/16/2009 4:01pm

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geez thank you!
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 12:13am

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WRONG! Wilson Was Right! Obama LIED!

On at least 4 other items as well!

Joe Wilson Wins, Obama Admits To Lie!
http://justifiedright.typepad.com/justified_right/2009/09/joe-wilson-wins-obama-amits-to-lie.html

Respect is earned and is never unconditional, regardless of who you are.

And Obummer has done nothing but Tax & Spend.

Obama should have said could you please Clarify what you mean Congressman Wilson?
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Anonymous 09/16/2009 4:06pm

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and then maybe a few "journalists" would see no other option but to write about joe wilsons response once obama asked for him to clarify his accusation. then the american ppl would be able to see read and hear the whole story about wilson knowing his stuff and calling obamas bluff. the "journalists" wouldnt be able to resist writing obamas answer to that and trying to make his incoherent babble sound good. or maybe they would still just ignore anything logical and keep saying wilson is wrong in being out of order
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:54pm

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France offers its citizens the best healthcare in the world, and it isn't only the French who will tell you so. The World Health Organization ranks France at the top of its list.

The trouble is, the country cannot afford it. The French public health insurance scheme is heading for a $15.5 billion deficit this year, threatening to bankrupt the system.

"Our health system has gone mad," Health Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told a parliamentary commission earlier this month. "Profound reforms are urgent."

The French health care system is going bankrupt. The public insurance fund has been in deficit every year since 1986.
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/177/10/1167

NoBamaCare - There Are No Free Lunches

Socialism - Sounds Like A Good Idea Till You Run Out Of Other Peoples Money!
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:41pm

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Socialized Health Care Realities:
http://www.jbs.org/jbs-news-feed/5261

French health system needs surgery Considered the world's best, France's Socialized healthcare system bankrupt.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0520/p06s01-woeu.html

The long-established socialized medicine systems in Britain and Australia are a particularly relevant warning about where such systems end up:
http://socglory.blogspot.com/2004_08_01_archive.html

You know how much France pays for Socialized Medicine? 10.8% of GDP in taxes, in case you have been in a box; People in France are revolting.

That would be about 1.6 Trillion Dollars U.S. just how the heck do you think Obummer is going to pay for that?

He's going the living daylights out of everything, and everybody.

And then there's the problem that we are about 1/2 million doctors and nurses short if it went into effect today.
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:38pm

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i am 49. i have a wife and an eight yr old son.i am a colon cancer survivor. when i was diagnosed i was told that the tumer had been there at least 10 yrs. my insurance only covers oolonoscopies at the age of 50. i had been treated for all kinds of stomach problems befor i was diagnosed. my wife finaly got pissed off and made me go and see her doc. she let him know that she knows me and that there was somthing wrong. he then told us that our insurance policy riqiured that i be 50 before they would pay for the procedure. (to be continued)
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:23pm

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Try Again with that B.S. about how good Socialized Medicine is in other countries.

The Problems with Socialized Health Care -
(i.e., trusting politicians and bureaucrats with your health care):
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/sergeman/issues/healthcare/socialized.html

Socialized Failure - Dissecting health-care data from Britain, Canada, and elsewhere:
http://nrd.nationalreview.com/article/?q=MDFjODUzM2E0ZTdmMGM4NzgyZDE0M2QzNGYwMDI1MGQ=

Canada-Euro models of health care are failing:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/My-View-Canada-Euro-models-of-health-care-are-failing

Canada - Failed, England - Failed, France - Failed, Russia - Failed, and so on and on.

Everywhere in the history of the world Socialized Medicine has been implemented it has FAILED MISERABLY AND MADE THINGS WORSE!

Besides the fact that in the entire history of the U.S. the Government has not successfully run any entitlement program; or any other Department/Agency of the Government, ANY NOT IN RED? NOPE!
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:49pm

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she persisted and the test was done. my problem is that i was advized that my two older adult children from previous marrage should be checked at the age of thirty five. if there insurance won't cover it what do they do.colon cancer has a very high survival rate if diagnosed early.there has to be a better way. people should not have to wait so long for a test that could save there lives. what good does all the medical advances do if millions of people cannot have access to them. my hospitol stay cost a little over 30 thou. and the surgeon cost a little over 30 tho. that makes no since to me. now i am in a position that i definitly cannot loose or even think about changing jobs due to the fact that i need my insurance and i definitly have a pre-existing condition
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Anonymous 09/15/2009 2:00am

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Indeed.. our system is so good, greed is making decisions. Pediatricians are no longer carrying vaccines because the profit is too small, they are sending their patients to the public clinics to get their boosters... guess the gov't doesn't do much there, huh? Most insurance companies won't cover meds or procedures that are listed as preventative, since there is no medical need. Even though they could offset later costs, nope.. you don't NEED it. Most medical professionals don't think socialized medicine is the fix, they also don't think our system is working either and needs to be reworked, as proof by the WHO's finding that our medical care is not that strong. Even right-wing nut job Glen Beck who was all about how good things were, until he needed serious surgery, and then he was on the we need a change bandwagon..
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 11:05pm

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Has anyone not even bothered to notice on the World Health Organizations rankings of health we aren't even in the top 20? We are 37th, and for the argument sake Canada that ever one keeps comparing us to is 30th, the UK is 18th.. and my favorite is number 1 FRANCE... :).. That's right. and they don't use a single payer system, the used a mixed system.. were you CAN buy into the gov't health program.. you just don't HAVE to.
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 10:44pm

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In case you did not notice; taking your money and giving it to someone else is a LOSS OF FREEDOM...

When we have no legal U.S. citizens that legitimately need help; then we can start helping the illegals and others in foreign country's; we need to build the fence; seal the fricking border, deport anybody that can't prove they are here legally; and take care of our own people in our own country... Charity begins at home; The Government does not have a Constitutional right to take my money and give it to someone else... And I can't go Mexico or Canada or any other Country and get free anything at the expense of its citizens; EVEN IF ITS AN EMERGENCY... SO WHY should we be any different? We can not be the worlds Salvation Army...
Its Unsustainable...

NoBamaCare NoBama...

Socialism - Sounds Like A Good Idea Till You Run Out Of Others Peoples Money.

I'll Keep My Guns, Freedom & Money, You Can Keep the CHANGE!
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Euclid_543 09/14/2009 5:38pm

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If our government wants your money they will find a way to get it. You can get more money, but you can't recover lost freedom, at least in your own lifetime.

Pay attention to the core of the matter; freedom is ours and we won't let anyone take it under the guise of "compassion for the downtrodden." I have given more money to charities than many on this site will earn in ten or twenty years, and it hasn't hurt me at all. I will continue to give money, time and prayers for those who are less fortunate, but I will not give up my freedom, because that won't help anybody.
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 5:21pm

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I would sell my kidney for a 40, now that is real health care. Does anyone need a hardly used kidney?
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 9:20am

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Anonymous above me:
I'm sick of hearing "humane sh*t".
If they weren't here in the first place, they wouldn't have the problem of getting, per say, swine flu here.
If they weren't here like they are suppose to be, any injury or illness they contract here wouldn't have happened in the first place, because they wouldn't have been here at all.
If illegals want to come in illegally, then by all means they shouldn't expect anything at all.
The moral that America sets is this: Even if you come illegally, we'll still give you the benefits of every citizen and legal immigrants. Come, don't pay taxes, you can buy a home and get FREE insurance.
Does that sound like a good moral standard? So, if morals and humane acts go hand in hand (supposedly), which is more important here? The moral, or being humane?
Sometimes I think that I should claim citizenship in Mexico through family, then just enter illegally. It seems to be worth it (I'm not being serious).
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 9:04am

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Why wouldn't we want illegal immigrants to get care? Uh, we all visit, walk the streets and receive services in many of the same places, if they or us have say the Swine Flu, would we want them to go untreated and infecting everyone??? Uh, yeah I think folks need to think this through. And wouldn't it be the humane thing to do? why is there such a them vs Us mentality? The fear of browning of America really has some of us, really scared and thinking STUPID! Get over it, President Obama is our President... he is just trying to handle what 8 yrs of an idiot spending out of control and killing our children in an uneccessary war has done!
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 8:52am

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This is dumb.

All Wilson voted for in 2003, was to help out hospitals. DUE TO THE CURRENT LAW, NO ONE CAN BE TURNED AWAY. What Wilson voted for is a no brainer, because if they didn't give aid to help out the hospitals, THEY WOULD HAVE SHUT DOWN.
Voting for an increase of AID to hospitals for illegals, comparing it to the mentioned above, is just dumb.
Think about that for a minute. It is comparing apples and oranges
For all those that that want an NHS, I have a great idea.. you ready for this one.... move to a country that has it. I have traveled all around the world and seen the NHS from a few countries, for incidents I will not mention. Just move. It's not that hard... oh wait, working a medial job doesn't give you that allowance. No wonder why you want an NHS here, because you are an idiot. Free health care from taxes of the people who actually work. I forgot that is what this world is coming to. Punish those who work hard to pay for your services. How dumb of me to forget.
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Anonymous 09/14/2009 3:39am

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There is a difference in providing emergency treatment and a universal plan. If there wasn't then Obama's plan is just offering emergency care, something we all already have.
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Anonymous 09/13/2009 9:24pm

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Hospitals do need to be paid for illegals that come in for care. A little different than giving millions in a full health plan that supports illegal or a government run health plan for all. I think Wilson was trying to help hospitals. That bill does not insure illegals??? what's the beef!!