Study Indicates Illegal Immigration Will Make Lowering Health Costs Harder

CongressDaily (8/19, Hunt) reported, "Illegal immigration will make lowering healthcare costs harder," according to a study conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies.

The analysis was based on "data from the 2008 Current Population Survey, which is conducted by the Census Bureau." The study said "immigrants -- legal and illegal -- are almost three times as likely to be uninsured than native-born Americans."

Steven Camarota, the director of research for the Center for Immigration Studies, noted "the majority of immigrants have not finished high school...which means most have low-income jobs that do not provide health insurance, and the low wages mean workers are unable to afford it. Camarota estimated the cost of insuring all immigrants could cost the government $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years."

Meanwhile, "Latino advocacy groups dismissed the study," stating it is "just the latest example in a campaign to erode efforts to ensure that quality, affordable healthcare is available to American families and workers."