. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP PhotoWhen President Barack Obama headed to the Capitol in 2009 to make a late-stage push for the Affordable Care Act, pleading to a joint session of Congress that the “season for action” had arrived, it wasn’t only Republicans who became affronted: then-Rep. Xavier Becerra, the California Democrat who had been lobbying for a more immigrant-friendly bill, listened as the president threw cold water on policies that they had been discussing for months.
As if to illustrate the fury with which the GOP regarded the issue of health care for undocumented immigrants, even Obama’s sharp disavowal of it prompted Rep. Joe Wilson to scream “you lie!” across the chamber. Now, as Becerra prepares to assume a new role as Joe Biden’s health secretary, he will have the power to make public benefits for undocumented workers a reality. With a stroke of his pen, he could issue first-of-their-kind waivers reversing the very policy that Obama torpedoed and allowing undocumented immigrants, roughly half of whom are currently uninsured, access to state health care exchanges.
Asked about Becerra’s past and current views, as well as how he would approach the new role of HHS secretary, Biden transition spokesman Andrew Bates said, "He will follow the law and pursue the President’s agenda to expand the Affordable Care Act and reduce costs for the American people.
But interviews the 15 Becerra friends, colleagues, and allies, as well as health care experts, suggest that health care for undocumented immigrants is an issue close to the heart of the 63-year-old son of a Mexican immigrant mother who, despite a diplomatic demeanor, can be forceful in pushing issues that align with his value system.
Man the rights going to lose their minds
Simply unqualified to be HHS Secretary.
jaketapper That is disgusting!
jaketapper Illegal immigrants.... there...fixed it
jaketapper A great day in America! Welfare checks for undocumented immigrants that never paid a dime in taxes
jaketapper Nope he doesn’t
Very good way to ensure Republicans have a great 2022.
jaketapper No, this piece definitely shouldn't be amplified in this manner. It's creating a bogeyman out of long past disagreements and constructing a reality that this *could happen when it very likely *won't happen. Politico's new editorial leadership has turned hard right.
Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine reducing Hospitalisations by 94% in Scotland, where a lot of those vaccinated were over 80. Strange though, not much US or EU coverage so far!!
Lovely....
Nothing against undocumented workers but that would be a bridge too far
Black folks getting what again?
IdiotFestival