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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Babette Josephs |
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Josephs: Amended bill would keep people from legally receiving state benefits
HARRISBURG, Dec. 8 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., criticized the movement of S.B. 9 out of the House State Government Committee this week, saying the amended bill would do more harm than good.
As amended by the Republicans in the committee, the bill would make it a crime for undocumented immigrants to possess or use a state medical assistance card, called an Access card. Josephs said this could result in barring people from receiving benefits for which they are lawfully eligible.
"This legislation is so restrictive that it would be against the law for disabled or homebound U.S. citizens to ask their neighbor, friend or spouse to shop for them with their card, or for lawfully present immigrants to keep their U.S. citizen children's cards to ensure their access to essential nutrition and medical benefits," Josephs said.
"Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits are federally funded and provide an important boost to our economy. They also provide vital nutrition and medical benefits for at-risk children, which they might not otherwise receive if their parents could not possess the Access card for their children's benefits.
"This is nothing but a back door attempt to prevent documented immigrants and eligible citizens from receiving benefits for which they are lawfully able under federal law. It's persecution plain and simple."
The holder of an Access card may legally permit someone else to use the card on his or her behalf. However, Josephs said, this legislation would deny that if that someone is undocumented, even if the undocumented person was a spouse, trusted neighbor or babysitter.
She also noted that the legislation may prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving emergency Medicaid, which the state is required to provide under federal law.
In addition, Josephs said, Republicans rejected an amendment that would have required agencies to report back to the General Assembly on the financial impact of the measure, specifically the cost of verifying the immigration status of each applicant and any cost savings that might have resulted.
"I find it very telling that Republicans refuse to permit the facts to be gathered on their policies. They cling to their beliefs and fear the truth, which is not a good characteristic in those whom the public has entrusted to make public policy," Josephs said.
The approved amendment to the bill was offered by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler.
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