GOP Slam Socialist Health Care For Illegals

The Washington Times reports:

"We're going to have a healthier nation because we're going to invest in children and make sure that they're going to get a healthy start for their future," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat. "We're going to be a stronger nation because we are a healthy nation."

To pay for the plan, House Democrats propose a 45-cents-per-pack cigarette tax increase, which they say would raise about $27 billion.

They also proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage program, a program that works to provide health care services for rural seniors and minority communities across the nation. The cuts would save billions of dollars more, Democrats say.

Republicans counter that the House Democrats' plan unnecessarily pits children against seniors.

The Senate version proposed no cuts to Medicare Advantage, but it calls for a 61-cents-per-pack cigarette tax increase, which is strongly opposed by many Republicans.

The proposal also is angering Republicans who say it makes it easier for illegal aliens to get government-funded health care. It eliminates a requirement that legal aliens must be in the country five years before getting benefits and also makes it optional for states to check whether a recipient is in the country legally.

"Again, the Democrats have proven their loyalty to illegal aliens over American citizens," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican.

Some politicians really like illegal aliens.