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Cynthia Tucker

Wasting money to keep out immigrants

12:00 pm October 6, 2009, by ctucker

You may recall the issue which prompted Joe Wilson’s boorish outburst in the middle of President Obama’s health care speech: Illegal immigrants and whether they would be eligible for benefits. That’s one of many facets of health care reform fueling outrage on the right.

But several California health care workers insist that strict rules over verification cost more than they save. The Los Angeles Times has a story on the costs:

Since July 2008, when Los Angeles County began implementing tougher federal verification rules, Rincon and his colleagues have gone back to check the documents of more than 100,000 recipients of Medi-Cal, the public healthcare program for low-income residents.
The county has received nearly $28 million in state and federal funds to cover the cost of the program and posted 81 people in 27 social service department offices to check documents, Walker said.

So far, they have not found one illegal immigrant who posed as a legal resident to get benefits, according to Deborah Walker, the county’s Medi-Cal program director. Fewer than 1% of applicants between July 2008 and February 2009 lacked the proper documents, and many of those applicants eventually produced them, she said.

So how much of the taxpayers’ money should be spent to make sure that a tiny number of illegal immigrants don’t slip through?

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63 comments Add your comment

Shawny

October 6th, 2009
12:20 pm

They havent found one illegal that posed as a legal resident. True, but they have found millions of illegals that are illegal.
I think there is a cost cutting opportunity there….

Independent

October 6th, 2009
12:25 pm

What this poor excuse of an article fails to mention is what the cost was before the July 2008 implementation. Was the cost to treat illegals higher or lower than the $28 million? I would hope that a Pulitzer prize-winning columnist could gather and present this information. What is the comparison costs? Are we paying a little to prevent a lot? Report back on that, will you?

Ivan

October 6th, 2009
12:33 pm

…..

It’s California.

Question

October 6th, 2009
12:39 pm

First I find it hard to believe they have not identified one illegal immigrant who posed as a legal resident to get benefits — makes the program suspect? Second, perhaps Medi-Cal is not the venue illegals use, e.g., what percent of emergency room visits are by illegals? Third, nice biased play on words Cynthia — for example, you use “boorish” outburst, “tiny number” of illegals. And finally, I may agree, the money used for this program may be better used for other activities to keep illegals out!!

Shananeeeeeeee Fananeeeeeee

October 6th, 2009
12:41 pm

Joe Wilson was right on the money, Obama is as corrupt as they come. “As President I will end income taxation for all Seniors making less than $50,000 a year.” – Barack Obama. “I will not sign any non-emergency bill as President without giving the American public 5 days to review and comment on the White House website.” – Barack Obama. Lies, Lies, Lies.

Carter is a Fool

October 6th, 2009
12:56 pm

How many of these illegal immigrants have committed crimes? More than you think. Just a year or two ago, several people were killed in Smyrna by illegal driving drunk. No all drunk drivers are not illegals. Do laws have a purpose or are they just suggestions? Do we have an immigration policy or just anyone is welcome? We need to be consistent in the creation and enforcement of policy and laws.

This is just another lame half baked column from Ms. Tucker. She again has met the expectations of her loyal followers.

jconservative

October 6th, 2009
12:58 pm

If illegals are treated but no one knows they are illegal, how can you determine the amount spent treating illegals? One can assume a percentage, but we all know what ass-u-me makes you look like.

So $28 million was spent to prevent illegals for getting treatment.
The question on the table is – was that a good investment?

How much was spent on illegals treatment at ER per state? How much is spent on legals without insurance at ER per state?
Would these figures give one a fair estimate on the cost of treating illegals?

Joe Lee

October 6th, 2009
1:24 pm

If that was the only facet to this illegal dilemma then I would say that you were absolutely correct. Unfortunately… we know all too well, all of the problems illegals create.

Dee

October 6th, 2009
1:26 pm

What is the verification process? Do illegals just give their word or use fake identification? How many anchor babies are on welfare when neither parent is legal? I think no price is too much to ensure that illegals get nothing. This article and writer are pathetic !!

Joe Lee

October 6th, 2009
1:26 pm

By the way, thanks for unbanning me. I’ll try to keep a civil tone from now on.

jt

October 6th, 2009
1:38 pm

Enter your comments here

“The county has received nearly $28 million in state and federal funds….”

28 MILLION DOLLARS and has not caught ONE illegal alien. ………IN LOS ANGELES!!

I smell a Rangel.

What cost UNIVERSAL “health-care”?????

Kevin

October 6th, 2009
1:44 pm

Just curious– what causes someone to be flagged for “moderation” on the board?

Because I would like proof of any of my previous posts’ violating the terms.

Perhaps it’s easier to slap a “moderation” on someone with whom you disagree. Unbelievable.

jt

October 6th, 2009
1:47 pm

Enter your comments here

I stand to be corrected.

They found ONE…….Ilegal Alien……………..In Los Angeles…………….28 Million Dollars.

These people simply must take over our health-care. Quickly.

Shawny

October 6th, 2009
2:16 pm

So, if they are illegal, and they aren’t trying to pose as legal to get the state sponsored healthcare, then they are doing what all of the other illegals are doing across the country to get their healthcare. They go to hospitals where they can’t be refused treatment.
Want an opportunity to reduce the overall cost of healthcare, do something about this.

CK Hall

October 6th, 2009
2:47 pm

ACORN must be running Medi-Cal!

Say What??

October 6th, 2009
2:59 pm

Wasting money to keep out immigrants?

Oh yes, we’ve gotten a lot of bang for our buck out of LBJ’s great society programs during the past 45 years. Cured all our social ills, right?

Roger

October 6th, 2009
3:01 pm

Enter your comments here What standard are you using to write this article about wasting? It is not right to give the sustenance of our current children and unborn citizens to illegal aliens. There is and has been a pathway to citizenship. Past leaders and even current ones are not held accountable for the enforcement of our laws. Wasting our money on illegal aliens will result in a third world status of the U.S. in the years to come unless all waste on the illegals is halted or brought under control.
How much money of your own are you giving away? Our opinion changes when we give other peoples money away.

gatorman770

October 6th, 2009
3:08 pm

B.S. Cynthia! The cost of illegals to working Californians (medical, schooling, welfare, etc.) is over 20 billion a year and growing and is the main reason California is bankrupt!

Patrick

October 6th, 2009
3:10 pm

The only people who comment on editorials are people that are incapable of forming their own opinions. This person’s entire job is to be “controversial” so you people will read her column and argue and fight. This so called “journalist” doesn’t care if you agree or disagree. She only cares that you read her column so she can keep her job. You people are really a very sad group.
And to clarify, I am commenting on the pathetic losers that comment on editorials, not the editorial itself. There is a difference.

richard ross

October 6th, 2009
3:16 pm

what this writer and everyone else fails to understand or just ignores is the fact that we are talking about illegal people. Individuals that sneak into this country are breaking the law. This debate is not about people that follow the law and come here in the proper manor. Anyone that comes here by sneaking across our borders should get NOTHING except a bus ride back across the border. Immigrants are wonderful illegals are criminals.

jconservative

October 6th, 2009
3:41 pm

Kevin – re the “moderation” flag. The only time I have been flagged here is for trying to post a website in my comment.

William

October 6th, 2009
3:43 pm

Cynthia,

Did they check to see if they came here to have a baby or did they have a baby here? That is how they are getting over on the system. That makes their kids a citizen and they remain illegal immigrant parents. Their children will receive all the benefits of a citizen and the parents ride along. Kinda reminds me of the old addage, I was born at night but I was not born last night!” or made in America…lol

Also, have you heard of Identity theft?

Are you for criminals if they are progressive liberals?

Kevin

October 6th, 2009
4:02 pm

Thanks, jconservative. That’s exactly what I tried to do the first time. Good to know. Here’s my post minus the link:

Seriously, Cynthia?

How about using an example in our own back yard? (link to story about Grady closing the dialysis clinic)

60 of the 90 (or 67%) persons using the Grady dialysis clinic are illegal. 67% of the $4 million it costs to run the clinic, or $2.7 million, could be used on medical services for legitimate citizens of our country, our state, and the entities that fund Grady.

Do you have any concept of the amount of basic care that $2.7 million will fund?

Just because

October 6th, 2009
4:30 pm

Wow . . been out of town most of September . . . was hoping when I got back the AJC had come to its senses and dropped C. Tucker . . . I am so disappointed!

Dan

October 6th, 2009
4:37 pm

Well duh since demanding ID for anything is labled as racist, there is no need to pose as a legal resident. Walk across the border and deliver in the ER while the rest of the kids who were born somewhere else are being babysay in what passes for public schools. It also is a great illustration of the foolishness of having illegals “pay into a public health care system” why in the world would they do that!
I know this is op-ed space but that isn’t supposed to mean a little research and basic reporting skills are not warranted

dan

October 6th, 2009
4:41 pm

we miss you here in Atlanta Cynthia!! Ur always RIGHT!!

Johnny Mac

October 6th, 2009
4:54 pm

I agree that it costs more money to try to stop them. Howsabout this idea. Adhere to the Constitution (10th Amendment) and end all entitlements and repeal laws that require hospitals to treat the indigent. If you build it, they will come. If you tear it down, they will go away (or at least not be a burden).

Brittancus

October 6th, 2009
4:54 pm

By now most business are conscious of the federal program E-Verify? It distinguishes US citizens and legal residents from illegal labor. Although not seamless, it has a 99.6 success rate and obviously will overtime become even more constructive to business that believes in the “Rule of Law.” Opponents in both the business sector and even on Capitol Hill have released a torrent of abuse against the application. That includes its function is blind to counterfeit documentation and spurious ID and that even legal individuals can be rejected? SO–YOU GO TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE TO BE EXONERATED? ONLY ILLEGAL WORKERS WILL SHUN TURNING TO SSA FOR RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

The open border conspirators are losing, as they did in a federal Maryland court a week previous. As E-Verify are perfected it needs to become a permanent tool in the incomplete arsenal of immigration enforcement. It needs to reach out to every company, big and small, in our country and every individual who works there? E-Verify eventually will expel foreign national from the workplace, without financial appropriations on a large scale. These people will self-deport when they cannot be hired anymore. Businesses facing huge fines and prison will be the ultimate deterrent. In time it will save our ailing schools, health care, home mortgages and government welfare system. Look to NUMBERSUSA for honest an answer, that includes costs to taxpayers for the new blanket AMNESTY. Which Senators and Republicans are anti-US American Worker and their immigration grades?

For an example Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) has a miserable enforcement grade of “C-”. He was out to erase E-Verify, under fund the border fence from the beginning of the Democratic administration. Then JUDICIAL WATCH is a public watchdog group Promoting Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in Government, Politics and the Law. They uncover misconduct by government officials and litigation to hold to account politicians and public officials who engage in corrupt activities. Finally CAPSWEB informs the public about the coming nightmare of OVERPOPULATION that is already exhibiting itself in our deteriorating infrastructure. TELL YOUR POLITICIANS YOU HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AT 202-224-3121

SAY NO PRO –ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT LIBERAL SOCIALIST–SANCTUARY CITY–MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM FOR GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA.

Incidentally regarding the 2010 Census? Small states will miss out big time on federal dollars, while mass illegal immigrant states will gain more seats in Congress and too much power and influence? Of course ICE could check the immigration status of those who are counted, even though it’s supposedly against US law? Or is counting 20 million plus (?) non-legal residence against the US Constitution?

Atlanta Native

October 6th, 2009
5:05 pm

$28,000,000.00 to place 81 people? That is $345,679.00 per person placed to check IDs. Let’s say we pay them the princely sum of $60,000.00 per year, get them a computer and access to a database, we’ll go $5k each, ’cause it’s gov’t. Let’s pay matching payroll taxes, insurance and such at $12K per year. So we are at $77k per placed person. Throw in $23k for triplicate forms, trash cans, printers, overtime, etc and we are at $100k per person. That $8,100,000.00.

What happened to the other $19,900.000.00? This makes no sense. Whatsoever.

See the problem – government throws $19.9 million into the ether and the complaint is that they did not find illegals? Perhaps it has to do with the construction downturn. Maybe they went home for a while.

If we do not check, think of the untold Billions that will be spent (with the majority magically disappearing) on them when they know no one is checking. Double whammy.

Mark

October 6th, 2009
5:27 pm

Wasn’t NUMBERS USA an offshoot of other groups started by the notorious racist and advocate of eugenics, John Tanton. Not exactly a credible source Brittancus. You might as well be getting your info from Lou Dobbs.

Atlanta Native

October 6th, 2009
5:32 pm

Mark – that reminds me. I saw an article toting the German healthcare system as great and pointing out that it has been around since the 1880’s. Yeah, they must have really liked their system in the ’30’s and ’40’s.

TnGelding

October 6th, 2009
5:36 pm

The fed reimburses ERs for illegal immigrants. Why should they pose as legal?

“Even though he hasn’t caught any cheaters in the last year, Rincon said he still sees value in the tougher standards.”

“I think it’s a good deterrent for people passing themselves off as U.S. citizens when they are undocumented,” Rincon said. “The word of mouth is that you can’t pass off these fake documents so easily anymore. Now everything is followed up on.”

Mark

October 6th, 2009
5:38 pm

The Social Contract Press, owned by John Tanton, is an “anti-immigration and population control through eugenics and forced sterilization” publishing house. Their list of authors promoting the eugenics philosophy previously promoted by Adolf Hitler include:

* Lawrence Auster
* Roy Beck
* Colin Campbell
* Samuel Francis
* Garrett Hardin
* Samuel P. Huntington
* Richard Lamm
* Michelle Malkin
* Brent Nelson
* Daniel Pipes
* Jean Raspail
* Charley Reese
* Paul Craig Roberts
* Robert Spencer
* Miles Wolpin

Your NUMBERS USA Crowd Brittancus.

Mark

October 6th, 2009
5:44 pm

In this list, “founded” means a group was founded or co-founded by John Tanton. “Funded” means that U.S. Inc., the funding conduit created and still headed by Tanton, has made grants to the group.

*American Immigration Control Foundation
AICF, 1983, funded

*American Patrol/Voice of Citizens Together
1992, funded

California Coalition for Immigration Reform
CCIR, 1994, funded

Californians for Population Stabilization
1996, funded (founded separately in 1986)

Center for Immigration Studies
CIS, 1985, founded and funded

Federation for American Immigration Reform
FAIR, 1979, founded and funded

NumbersUSA
1996, founded and funded

Population-Environment Balance
1973, joined board in 1980

Pro English
1994, founded and funded

ProjectUSA
1999, funded

*The Social Contract Press
1990, founded and funded

U.S. English
1983, founded and funded

U.S. Inc.
1982, founded and funded

catlady

October 6th, 2009
6:06 pm

I notice that their “legality” is determined by their papers. I can tell you that you can get some very convincing paperwork that is nonetheless a lie. We have hundreds of illegal immigrants in our town working for the largest employer who “seem” to be legal.

This one is full of holes, Ms. Tucker.

NA

October 6th, 2009
6:52 pm

Cynthia

You sound like you need to get a government job.

The word Illegal———means NOT LEGAL———
Immigrants doing thing legally is ok,

Our goverment can not control the borders, not control spending, and for most things can not do anything better than private legal companies who pay taxes. They sure can not control health care.

If anyone in the government actually took an economics class they would know raising taxes will create less jobs, more unemployment, therefore creating a smaller tax base dwidling down so that no one ever gets helped. Do not put the government in charge of anything. They could not find but one illegal immigrant, it just shows the inability of our government to do anything right and if this is California they close both eyes when looking for anything.

Tax payer funded Public Option, NEVER!

October 6th, 2009
7:29 pm

There are PLENTY of laws that aren’t cost effective, but they ARE the LAW. What a waste of space this column was.

Proud American

October 6th, 2009
8:01 pm

Princess Dumb Azz shows her intelligents again. Why can’t you understand, I work hard for my money, I pay my taxes, I pay my bills, i do not want to pay for some elegal aliens or some other debeats health care. If you don’t pay your way then get out of the way.

TheOne

October 6th, 2009
9:00 pm

Cynthia,

First of all, this information was based on a California program. California finances is in a very sad state of affairs. I hardly think that any information they provide is anything that we want to trust. And supposing that your numbers were true. Isn’t it the least bit possible that if we stopped doing the check, illegals would find out about it and as a result come in droves? Sort of like if all of the sudden we decided to do away with the police force. There just might be a bit more crimes being committed by folks who wouldn’t ordinarily commit them if they knew they wouldn’t be caught/arrested.

TnGelding

October 6th, 2009
9:55 pm

Proud American

October 6th, 2009
8:01 pm

I’m ashamed of you.

Michael H. Smith

October 6th, 2009
10:15 pm

How much money does it costs employers to use E-Verify Comrade Cynthia?

Not buying your argument, assertions or any of your usual accusation.

scott

October 6th, 2009
10:17 pm

Cynthia, I hope you read these comments, you ned to be enlightened, enjoy 3 more yrs of your pres. after that he is out. Sort of how it works, you get 4 yrs, Rep. get 12-16. See , AMERICANS realize that Rep. aren’t that great after awhile, them elect a DEM, only to realize a bad Rep. is a whole lot better than a Dem. running the country. See…History!

Kamchak

October 6th, 2009
10:43 pm

See, AMERICANS realize that Rep. aren’t that great after awhile, then elect a Dem only to be conned by conservatives using wedge issues. See…History

fyt

liz

October 6th, 2009
10:50 pm

Thanks for covering the facts regardless of the insults on the blogs. The laws weren’t passed because of significant abuse or much evidence. It was politics then and it is politics now that ignores the facts and insists the evidence warrants this costly verification system. Millions of dollars will be spent with little evidence of abuse to justify the expense. Keep up the good work..

Tucker

October 6th, 2009
11:27 pm

Do you work for ACORN?

THE CATHOLIC HAMMER

October 6th, 2009
11:31 pm

Separate Secularism and State!

The Catholic Faith must be fully integrated into the State!

Until then, there will continue this “debate” over how much tax dollars must be spent on public health care, and denying people the use of that public health care.

Ever take statistics Miss Tucker?

October 6th, 2009
11:40 pm

Cynthia-

What is the United States population? Answer: a little over 300 million people

What is the estimated number of illegals in the United States? Answer: estimates around 40 million

That means that 1 out of every 7 people in the US is an illegal immigrant. So your source that didn’t have a single illegal out of 100,000 is fudging the numbers.

Journalism. Fact checking not required.

stw

October 6th, 2009
11:42 pm

If Obama stated the sun rose in the west and set in the east Tucker would be on the next plane to San Fran. She drinks his kool aid…

Zibby

October 6th, 2009
11:56 pm

Aw, let ‘em all in… they let in Sinthia….

Maniac

October 7th, 2009
3:28 am

Webster defines illegal as against the law but liberals define illegal as Democratic votes.

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