Citizens of Different Value

With the Democrats having regained power in (what it looks like now) both houses, hopefully they will reverse this decision: the Bush administration has decided that children born in the US to illegal immigrants with low incomes will no longer automatically be entitled to state (Medicaid) health insurance. This is despite the fact that they are Americans citizens. Previously these children have had access to health care during their first year of life - a time when it is especially important with check-ups and vaccinations - and their mothers have been entitled to Medicaid during labour and delivery. Now parents will have to prove the child's citizenship (that it is born in the US) before getting access to health care, which can take some time - weeks or months - with applications and documentation, etc. Parents, being illegal immigrants, may be afraid to go through this process because of fear of deportation.