Conrad and Baucus Appease Joe Wilson, "Proof of Citizenship" to Be Required for Health Care "Reform"

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and colleague Kent Conrad (D-ND) demonstrate the time-honored Democratic tradition of capitulating to Republicans who agitate the loudest. After Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outrageous heckling of President Barack Obama, the Senate's top two Blue Dog Democratic health care negotiators attempt to appease Wilson's concerns, Wall Street Journal and TIME report.

The controversy over Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's shouting out "You Lie!" at the President over his claim that illegal immigrants wouldn't benefit from health-care reform apparently sparked some reconsideration of the relevant language. "We really thought we'd resolved this question of people who are here illegally, but as we reflected on the President's speech last night we wanted to go back and drill down again," said Senator Kent Conrad, one of the Democrats in the talks after a meeting Thursday morning. Baucus later that afternoon said the group would put in a proof of citizenship requirement to participate in the new health exchange—a move likely to inflame the left.

Thanks for waving the white flag, guys. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that Wilson—or any other Republicans for that matter—are willing to support the plan regardless of the last-minute changes. What's next, certification that the funds will not be used for "death panels"?

Comments

[ReggieH]

Whats confusing about this is that, in the House bill, it ALREADY explicitly states that illegal aliens cannot recieve health care. So this

[Ravenback]

It is a shame that the Democratic Party includes people like Baucus and Conrad. All the bills already prohibit illegal immigrants from benefiting from HCR initiatives. Those two and the Senate Finance Committee have held up HCR to date.

It is ironic that Wilson back in 2003 voted to approve $250 million to reimburse hospitals who treated uninsured undocumented immigrants under the Prescription Drug Bill of President Bush. Where was his indignation when he voted to fund illegal aliens? No where to be found because he supported it. Of course, that was under a Republican President. Now, Wilson is all out of sorts. I bet the mainstream media will not focus on this hypocritical act by Wilson. He is a hypocrite, and Baucus and Conrad are cowards.

Good day.

[soulbrotha]

Let me get this straight: This mf disrespects the POTUS and not only does he NOT get censured or punished in any way, the Dems actually bend over (in every sense of the term)to appease him?! My head is about to pop! I say we remove the whole lot of them and start fresh.

[Rah1252]

@ReggieH...ABSOLUTELY....on Keith Oberman's show the day after that idiot Wilson shouted at HIS commander-in-chief (Joe is a member of the SC National Guard), Oberman posted the section(s) of the bill that already stated "individuals without proof of legal residence would not qualify for benefits". BTW, I think the Joe Wilson outburst was planned....I think it was just another ploy in the Shout-down-your-opponent-as-loud-as-possible-mentality that some hard line Republicans used this past August at the so-called "grass-roots" town hall demonstrations.