Readers Respond

Cecile Richards, New York

The writer is president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Illegal immigrant health care

President Obama is clear: No illegal aliens will be covered by the proposed health care reforms. That is probably not technically a lie. But the president also knows that is not how it will work in practice. It is another application of "don't ask, don't tell."

If it is absolutely true that illegal aliens are not to be covered, then why did Democrats in a House committee on July 30 vote against an amendment, offered by Rep. Nathan Deal of Georgia, that would have required health care providers to use a verification program to prevent illegal aliens from receiving government-provided health care services?

By not demanding verification, they know that illegal aliens will indeed receive government-funded health care. They want to maintain the appearance of not allowing it, yet they choose to do nothing to prevent it. Sounds like they want to have their cake and eat it too. So, of course, when the president says no illegal aliens will receive health care - it is not the whole truth!

John Egan