Thursday, October 1, 2009

Identity Amendments Go Up for Vote in Senate

c/o California Healthline

A pair of amendments by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kyl intended to prevent undocumented immigrants from signing up for new programs under the reform legislation were defeated 10-13 along party lines, CQ Today reports.

Grassley's amendment would have required applicants for Medicaid, or their parents in the case of children, to present a photo ID.

Kyl's amendment would have mandated that the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and IRS set up "real-time" communications systems between them to verify identification (Wayne [1], CQ Today, 9/30).

BTC - Sen.Grassley increased his invocation of the Real ID Act lately as a concession for immigration reform, as reported earlier this month by AlterNet. Identity and citizenship issues were raised in the finance committee to address how one would qualify for coverage in a Public Option healthcare plan.

No comments: