Is this Washington Times hit piece on health care for illegal aliens accurate?

[Alhena]

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/18/obama-ties-immigration-to-health-care-battle/?feat=home_cube_position1

Drudge is giving this big play on his website. Deciding if and how to cover those who are currently here in the country illegally is a difficult issue, but I think Obama needs to give straight talk on whatever it is he decides to do. There will be a backlash if it turns out his plan is to say illegal aliens won't be covered but only because he plans to make them all legal. I can just see the Joe Wilson fans screaming "Joe was right!" if that's what the plan is.

[NYCGirl]

1. Is anything in the Washington Times accurate? NT

[Alhena]

2. I don't know, that's why I'm asking. The Obama direct quote seems ambiguous

So I'm genuinely curious about what his proposal is. Whatever it is, the important thing is that Obama needs to be clear and consistent and make a case for it. Otherwise there will be a backlash.

[Eric J in MN]

3. Accurate if a bit misleading.

Things omited:

Ronald Reagan signed an amnesty bill.

George W. Bush tried and failed to get Congress to pass an amnesty bill.

Obama wants an amnesty bill, but it's up to Congress.

Even if Congress does pass an amnesty bill, it would probably only apply to people who have been working in the US for a long time.

[TxRider]

4. I don't see anythign innacurate about it

Besides ommision of the fact illegal immigrants will not and cannot be denied emergency care, and the repubs refusal to acknowledge not covering them will even more expensive than covering them.

For example, we deliver 47 babies a day to illegal immigrants in just one Dallas county hospital alone. No proof of citizenship is required by federal law for delivering babies as it's termed emergency care. Medicaid pays for the majority of them.

I don't see anything in the bill that would change this.