Assembly Committee To Vote on Amendment That Would Deny State-Funded Health Services to Undocumented Immigrants
The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would deny health care services and other benefits to undocumented immigrants, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Lawrence, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/4).
The proposed amendment -- ACA 6, by Assembly member Mark Wyland (R-Escondido) -- would prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving health care and other benefits through some state-funded programs (California Healthline, 2/22). The proposal also would prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving some social services not required by federal law. Under the amendment, undocumented immigrants would have access to emergency health services.
According to the AP/Union-Tribune, the amendment "face[s] long odds of making it through the Legislature," which requires two-thirds votes to place a proposed amendment on the ballot.
Wyland said, "We can't make this state work effectively with all the challenges it faces unless we decide who should be present in the state. We have to control the border."
But Vivek Malhotra, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union, said, "If a whole sector of the population doesn't have access to health care, it jeopardizes the public health of everyone."
The Assembly Health Committee also on Tuesday will vote on a measure that would create a universal health care system in the state. The committee approved the measure last year (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/4).