Illegal Students & Patients to be Counted
H.B. 296 introduced by Representative Josh Clark on February 22nd requires the following:
Education. The State Board of Education would collect and maintain citizenship data on K – 12 students and publish it on the state board’s web site no later than January 1st each year. The report would include for each school district (a) the number illegal alien students in elementary and secondary education, (b) the number of illegal alien students who are unable to show proof of citizenship and (c) each school district’s total expenditures for illegal aliens.
By October 1st each year, local school boards would report the number of illegal alien students enrolled in the district, as well as the number who do not provide proof of citizenship.
Health. The Department of Community Health (DOCH) would gather and maintain data on the number of illegal aliens receiving medical treatment, as well as those unable to show proof of citizenship. By October 1st each year, DOCH would collect from any hospital, health care facility, medical or skilled nursing home or other organization providing patient care the types and dates of treatment received by each patient, plus the cost and method of payment.
The DOCH would compile the data, calculate total expenditures, payments and non-payments by hospital and publish it on the department’s web site no later than January 1st of each year.
ACTION – Support. Since this bill has not been assigned to a subcommittee, please contact the House Non Civil Judiciary Committee chairman, as well as the Non Civil Judiciary subcommittee chairmen. They are as follows: Representatives Golick, Ch., 404 656-5943; Sub-Com. Ch. Setzler, 404 656-0177; Sub-Com. Ch. Ramsey 404 656-7146
H.B. 476: Puts Georgia in the Insurance Business, Obama Style
State government would be expanded swiftly, stunningly and perpetually.
Installing a state insurance plan is premature, but, evidently, high level officials have their plan ready in H.B. 476. Meaning, Georgia is “prepared.” So, why act prematurely with a bill that sets the plan in motion July 1st? Why not set aside H.B. 476 and wait to act until the national issue is settled? Then comply with the results. Even if the court decides Obamacare must be implemented, the federal law allows one to two legislative sessions for states to comply.
H.B. 476 passed the House Insurance Committee March 9th and went to the Rules Committee and passed, positioning it for a vote on the House floor. On Friday, March 11th the author, Representative Richard Smith (R), informed this writer that the House floor vote would be on the 30th day of the session, Wednesday March 16th.
After saying he does not like Obamacare any more than I do, Mr. Smith admitted that H.B. 476 puts Georgia in the insurance business compliant with Obamacare. Then, he said we must “be prepared in case Obamacare is upheld in the courts.” I disagreed, explaining that I could not support his bill. He nodded, said he understands and agreed we could talk again.
The Georgia Health Exchange Authority would be established, effective July 1, 2011, and have “perpetual existence,” i.e. continuous uninterrupted succession. Nine appointees would govern it – the Commissioner of Community Health, the Authority Commissioner, plus seven members appointed by the Governor, whose designee would be executive director. Ex officio members – Office of Planning and Budget director, Governor’s executive counsel, Georgia Technology Authority executive director – will serve three years, with possible reappointment.
The Authority could elect/appoint/hire/define duties/fix compensation for employees and officers, experts and fiscal agents, and contract or lease as required or convenient. Funding may come from gifts, grants, loans/loan guarantees, property and financial or other aid from federal and state government agencies, regardless of accompanying terms and conditions. It would administer the Georgia Health Exchange Trust Fund, as a new item in the state treasury.
A Georgia Health Exchange would operate the state’s American Health Benefit Exchange, with power to sell health insurance compliant with Obamacare. Officially, it is the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 with its rules and regulations. So, by January 1, 2014, Georgia’s Obamacare could seek funding from federal grants or other sources.
The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange would be created to comply with Obamacare, increase small employer enrollment in group insurance, and coordinate with other state agencies, including administrators of Social Security Title XIX and Title XXI.
An appointed Exchange Advisory Committee would develop the design, implementation and operation of the Exchange and the SHOP. Appointees would report to the board and Governor by November 15, 2011 their recommendations for: (a) increasing the numbers of people insured in the state, (b) developing competition in insurance, (c) making Georgia small business friendly, (d) keeping family members on the same plan, (e) promoting customer service, and (f) finding sustainable solutions, whether or not they are specifically part of the federal act.
ACTION – Oppose. Contact Governor Deal 404 656-1776; Lt. Governor Cagle 404 656-5030; Speaker Ralston 404 656-5020; Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones 404 656-5072; Majority Whip Lindsey 404 656-5024; Rules Chairman Meadows 404 656-5141; Rules V-Chairman Golick 404 656-5943; Rules Secretary Mills 657-8441; Bearden 404 656-5096; Ehrhart, 404 463-2247; Franklin 404 656-0152; Hembree 404 656-6801; Rice 404 656-5912; Martin Scott 404 656-0254; Setzler 404 656-0177; T. Smith 404 656-5105; Teasley 404 656-0177; Walker 404 656-5146; Willard 404 656-5125.
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