Right wing Republicans are trying to poison the healthcare debate by spreading lies and fanning the flames of hate and fear. The American public won't be fooled!

• Nativist, right-wing Republicans are spreading lies and misinformation about access for undocumented immigrants in an effort to poison the healthcare debate and block the real progress Americans need.

• Instead of looking for real solutions, out of touch Republicans are fanning the flames of hate and fear, and distracting Congress from the real issues of healthcare reform.

• The American public wants policy solutions and will not remain silent while right wing Republicans try to use immigrants as a wedge to gain cheap political points.

Blocking undocumented immigrants from using their own money to buy private insurance in the health care exchanges is a dumb idea that will cost American taxpayers

• By blocking immigrants from paying for insurance when they become sick or face injury, taxpayers would be forced to pay costly emergency care bills down the road. Complex immigration verification requirement will also create a huge amount of unnecessary red tape for millions of low-income and minority citizens who traditionally struggle with stringent verification requirements.

• This reckless move is born out of spite and fear--not the kind of visionary, solution-driven policy we need to fix our healthcare system for the long-term. As we come closer to passing a comprehensive healthcare plan that brings down costs and provides quality coverage to all Americans, we need Congress to stand up to the bullies and keep momentum moving forward on passing a smart, affordable healthcare solution

All workers and their families deserve health care that they can afford.

• Healthcare reform will succeed if it makes insurance affordable to as many people as possible.

• We simply cannot accept half-measures and unfair exclusions in health reform that leave out millions of people, many of whom are young and healthy, who are eager to purchase affordable health insurance.

Legal immigrants should contribute and be able to obtain affordable health insurance just like everyone else in the U.S.

• It is unacceptable to invite people to come to this country as lawful permanent residents, ask them to contribute and collect their taxes, and then refuse to let them buy affordable health insurance or bar them from using the Medicaid that their tax dollars pay for.

• Immigrants are eager to pay their fair share and support our healthcare system. In disproportionate numbers, immigrants serve in the U.S. military; they take care of our young, our sick and aging; they are part of worksites, schools, communities, and places of worship.

Immigration Reform is the Long-term Solution; In the Short-term, we cannot let immigrants be used as a wedge issue on healthcare reform.

• We know that the best way to put an end to the lies and attacks of anti-immigrant Republicans is to pass comprehensive immigration reform that brings undocumented immigrants out of the shadows, gets them paying into the system and gets them under the rule of law.

• Until then, we need to stand up to anti-immigrant Republicans; stop them from poisoning the healthcare debate; and make our voices heard that there is no place for this kind of hate and fear in America...

Background--the facts:

• Despite popular misconception, immigrants use government health care at a much lower rate than the rest of us

• Undocumented immigrants are not covered in any bill

• There should be no waiting period or similar restriction on health care access for legal immigrants who pay taxes just like everyone else. We need to be humane and smart and make sure that going after undocumented immigrants doesn't frustrate coverage for the rest of us by, for example, making burdensome documentation or restrictions that cost more than they save.

For more information, please contact Ali Jost, SEIU Immigration Communications Coordinator, at ali.jost@seiu.org or at 202-730-7159