Medicaid used to provide prenatal care (during pregnancy) to illegal immigrants, but that part of the program was cut in 2010. On April 18 (just a few days ago), Nebraska decided to provide this aid. Of course, this means that Nebraska will have to use its own money to do so. There are two primary concerns. One is the obvious issue with using state money, which is taxpayer money, to care for undocumented immigrants. The second is that this aid will encourage illegals to come to Nebraska.
Governor Heineman vetoed the bill because of its broadness and its bias in favor of illegals (as oppossed to legal citizens who cannot afford care). He felt that state money should be spent on legal citizens first. This veto, of course, was overridden. Heineman is concerned about an increase in population putting strain on the economy. This is, of course, possible, but at the same time an increase in relatively cheap labor can also bolster an economy.
What I find extremely interesting is how different groups came together to make this happen. Conservative, pro-life groups support prenatal care, because even unborn children of illegal immigrants have a right to life. Liberal groups tend to support this as well, since it advances health care.
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