IMMIGRANT CARE: Clinton Administration to Restore Benefits
Speaking at a senior center in San Francisco today, Vice President Al Gore is expected to announce "a $1.3 billion, five- year program to close remaining gaps in medical and food stamp benefits for legal immigrants." While the proposal is "rather modest" in that it would restore benefits to only 132,000 people over the next five years, the New York Times reports that it "nonetheless reflect[s] a growing political sensitivity toward Hispanic citizens, Asians and other ethnic groups." The proposal, which will be included in President Clinton's budget recommendations, is expected by some to receive congressional approval. A "Republican Senate aide who works closely on immigrant benefit issues" said, "I have a hard time predicting exactly what will happen, but there is a good chance to get [the benefits] back." Immigrant advocates praised the Clinton administration plan. "This is a common sense proposal that has the added benefit of being very politically wise. It's very significant," said Cecilia Munoz of the National Council of La Raza (Janofsky, 1/25). Click here for past coverage of immigrant care.
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