Square Peg in a Round Hole

 I recently read that State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) authored a bill that would formally petition the federal government to let undocumented immigrants pay for health coverage through Covered California without cost to the state or federal government.

The Affordable Care Act currently does not allow undocumented immigrants to purchase health insurance via their state’s exchange.

In my opinion, this makes sense that through the State or Federal Marketplace that undocumented individuals are unable to seek health insurance, as the purpose of the law and the Marketplace is to allow for assistance for those that qualify. And, those that qualify are of legal status in the country.

Currently, if a person tries to input their ITIN (tax identifier used for tax purposes) or does not have legal residency, the system does not accept the information.

Now, my questions would be to Senator Lara:

• Why are you trying to push a square peg through a round hole?
• Does the state of California not allow anybody to purchase health insurance directly through the Insurance Carriers?
• Can they not fill out an application during Open Enrollment and pay the full amount of the insurance premium?
• If so, why must it be through the State Exchange?

And for those that are opposing the bill, I ask:

• If the person can purchase something at retail value, why not allow them to do so?
• Why not allow somebody to give money to a company and an industry that can use those funds?
• And, why not say that there is already a way to obtain coverage without actually utilizing the State’s Marketplace?

Why are we making this into a controversy when there does not need to be one?

I can understand those that are upset over immigration reform laws. I ask you: Until the laws are changed, why are you so upset that (undocumented) individuals want to pay for their own insurance since they do not qualify for state assistance?

Things are not perfect, I get it. But, must we add controversy when there is no need to do so? Why not focus on other more productive things instead of having the rest of the country roll their eyes because California is ‘at it again’ in trying to go against and bend the law?

Many states allow undocumented individuals to purchase health insurance (among other things) without the assistance of the state as it helps maintain a healthy state, as well as, utilizes their money to promote economic growth in that state. In my opinion, this is not costing the state or federal governments any money either. I’m just saying.