Should state pay for care of illegal immigrants?
Should state fund coverage for illegals?

By Jennifer Mock

Published: October 11, 2007

Illegal immigrant mothers would gain access to state and federally subsidized prenatal care in Oklahoma if an emergency rule change is approved today by the state Health Care Authority.

The change, which would give undocumented immigrant women access to Medicaid for prenatal services, is needed to protect the health of babies who will be U.S. citizens once they are born, health officials say.

One lawmaker said Wednesday the rule change would be illegal if approved.

Because children born in the United States are citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status, health care officials say paying for prenatal care will help reduce medical costs likely covered by the state later in the child's life.

But Rep. Randy Terrill said allowing illegal immigrant mothers to receive some Medicaid benefits is against state and federal law.

"If this new welfare benefit is approved, it will cause more desperate women to illegally cross our borders under dangerous circumstances that will likely jeopardize the lives of their unborn children while diverting resources that should go to Oklahoma's poor citizens,” said Terrill, R-Moore.

Federal law allows state Medicaid programs to cover illegal immigrant mothers but only with prior approval from the Legislature, Terrill said.

Terrill — who was the author of legislation earlier this year that cut off most public benefits for illegal immigrants — said the rule change would be the opposite of what legislators intended when they passed the anti-illegal immigration bill into law.

"Like most pro-life lawmakers, I believe life begins at conception and a child in the womb should be treated as a human being. However, that is not the same thing as being a legal citizen of this state or nation,” he said. "All people deserve respect, but not all people qualify for taxpayer subsidies from the state of Oklahoma.”

The Health Care Authority is set to vote on the rule change at its meeting today in Ada. The budget impact is estimated at $1.2 million in state funds and $2.8 million in federal money.

Sen. Tom Adelson said if the rule is not changed, the lives of children are at risk.

"Anyone who professes to embrace a culture of life would not turn their back on 2,800 innocent children born each year in Oklahoma,” said Adelson, D-Tulsa. "It is morally reprehensible to deny prenatal care to innocent unborn children, who through no fault of their own, have no access to prenatal care.”

Marilyn Seiler, the Faith Community Nursing Resource Center manager for Catholic Charities, said the state has a duty to care for all babies, regardless of their parents' citizenship status.

"This gives us an opportunity to take care of our citizens,” she said.

Gov. Brad Henry said if the rule change is approved, he will sign it to make it effective immediately. The Health Care Authority will then have to file the change as a permanent rule when the Legislature returns next year for approval by both the state House and Senate.

"The governor views this as a pro-life, pro-health issue,” said Paul Sund, Henry's spokesman. "By providing prenatal care, we can encourage an expectant mother to carry her baby to term and ensure that the child, a U.S. and Oklahoma citizen, gets a healthy start on life.”

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