Despite the growing shortage of U.S. veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s efforts to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) process medical treatment for undocumented immigrants has sparked controversy among several members of Congress. However, one prominent Democratic lawmaker has taken a close stance. He blurted out the matter.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) so far discusses the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to help undocumented immigrants currently in ICE custody file health care claims as a backlog of veterans’ claims mounts. remains silent.
Tester chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, which has primary jurisdiction over the Department of Veterans Affairs and works to resolve issues and challenges related to America’s veterans.
The arrangement between the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VA-FSC) and ICE to process immigrant medical claims actually predates the Biden administration and was outlined in a 2020 memo. It was stated. former president donald trump management.
Republican senators furious at Biden administration for providing veteran health care resources to illegal immigrants
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) so far discusses the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to help undocumented immigrants currently in ICE custody file health care claims as a backlog of veterans’ claims mounts. remains silent. (Getty Images)
If an illegal immigrant in ICE custody requires medical care, he or she is usually treated by medical professionals on-site. However, if you require specialist or emergency treatment, you may be transferred to an independent private medical facility.
In these cases, ICE contracts with VA’s Financial Services Center (VA-FSC) to process reimbursements to providers. According to a July report, ICE has hundreds of letters of understanding under which ICE’s Health Services Corps (IHSC) reimburses health care providers at Medicare rates. It uses VA-FSC’s Medical Claims Processing System, a portal where providers can submit and view claims and access other resources.
The VA told Fox News Digital in December that it has had an interagency agreement with IHSC since 2002 to provide information processing, but the department does not provide or pay for the care. He also pointed out that there was no. Under the agreement with IHSC, ICE pays for claims processing services provided and covers expenditures made to pay claims.
But the border crisis, with record numbers of immigrants entering the United States and needing medical care, is likely exacerbating what one former veterans affairs adviser told FOX News Digital in December. , said it was a “history of a backlog of medical claims.” As a result, veterans ended up receiving bills they shouldn’t have received…and became frustrated with community health care providers who weren’t being compensated in a timely manner. ”
In 2013, Tester voted against an amendment introduced by then-Sen. Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions is working to deny illegal immigrants access to free, taxpayer-funded health care. The amendment failed by a vote of 43 to 56, stating that it would create a “deficit to achieve savings by prohibiting undocumented immigrants and undocumented immigrants granted legal status from being eligible for federally subsidized health care.” A neutral provident fund was to be established.
Unlike Tester, Montana’s junior senator, Republican Steve Daines, strongly opposes the Biden administration’s controversial effort to divert certain resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs to process claims by illegal immigrants. has been expressed.
“Montana has the second-highest number of veterans per capita in the nation, and every day we hear stories about worsening access to quality care provided by the VA.” Daines said in a statement.. “According to Department of Veterans Affairs data, at Fort Harrison Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the largest VA medical facility in Montana, the wait time for veterans seeking dental care is 123 days, and the wait time for veterans seeking mental health care appointments is 123 days. In some cases, it may take up to 70 days.
“Additionally, as of September 2023, there are approximately 318,221 outstanding claims nationwide that require development and determination by a VA claims processor, including disability compensation and pension claims received by the VA. ‘ he added. “This represents the highest amount in nearly a decade. In stark contrast, undocumented immigrants in ICE facilities appear to face lower barriers to accessing specialized and emergency care. This disparity “This is unacceptable and a disgrace to Montana’s veterans who must deal with long wait times and excessive delays to see a health care provider.” ”
“The Biden administration has created this humanitarian and national security crisis at the border,” Daines said, adding, “This crisis is about enforcing the rule of law, tightening asylum standards and protecting national security.” He reiterated his belief that it can only be resolved through deliberate and targeted policy changes to curb it. parole authority for the Department of Homeland Security and complete the southern border wall. ”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seal on the facade of its headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Haller/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Veterans accused of using staff to assist in medical glacial processing of illegal immigrants despite veteran delinquency
Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) and Tommy Tuberville (Alabama), who also sit on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, are also outspoken opponents of the veterans’ efforts.
Last month, Blackburn I sent a letter to the Veterans Administration., questioned government agencies about the use of resources for medical care for undocumented immigrants. Secretary Blackburn wrote to Secretary Dennis McDonough denying the veteran’s assumption that the VA does not provide medical care to ICE detainees, stating that the agency does not determine whether a veteran’s citizenship status is determined before approving a veteran’s medical benefits. He also questioned whether the Biden administration has issued health care directives. According to the Washington Examiner, these immigrants need to be taken care of.
According to the report, Blackburn’s letter also cited the Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal year 2022 report, which found that “ICE spent more than $373.5 million on medical costs for noncitizens in its custody.” It is said to be detailed.
Echoing Blackburn, Tuberville raised red flags about the effort.In an interview with Fox News Digital last week, he recently introduced No Veterans Affairs Resources for Illegal Alien Acthe introduced a bill with Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) that would ban such practices.
”[Biden’s] “We decided, OK, we’ve got to feed all 10 million people that we’ve brought across the border, we’ve got to house them, we’ve got to provide them with health care,” Tuberville said. said.We have started treatment by doctors in these areas. [VA] Community care system. Lines at the Veterans Administration are currently long. Our money that should go to veterans goes to illegal immigrants who come. ”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) heads to vote in the Senate chamber of the U.S. Capitol on February 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Tuberville said the Veterans Administration is already unable to provide care to all 19 million veterans living in the country, and that the community system he cited has increased wait times for veterans to become veterans. He lamented that it was helping to shorten the period. border crisis It started to get worse.
Tester, who has represented Montana in the Senate since 2007, faces a tough re-election battle in a state where he lost to former President Donald Trump by more than 16 points in the 2020 presidential election. . And his re-election campaign has become even more difficult as the southern border crisis has garnered national attention in recent years.
In a May 2023 interview with MSNBC, more than two months after announcing he would seek re-election to the Senate, Tester said he believed President Biden had “made a contribution” to securing the southern border. Stated.
“I think the big issue here is we need to secure our southern border, and I think the president has supported that.” he said at the time.
Tester, who has opposed some of the Biden administration’s actions on the border and immigration, last week attacked his fellow lawmakers who voted against an additional spending package that included spending on border security and aid. For UkraineIsrael and Taiwan.
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) during a Senate Banking Committee hearing at the Capitol on September 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Montanans in every region of our state tell me they want action to protect our southern border. And we want ICE, Border Patrol, and law enforcement to actually get the job done. We have a bipartisan bill that will give us the resources and policy changes we need to do that,” Tester told FOX News Digital at the time. “But instead, D.C. politicians have chosen to engage in reckless political maneuvering, and we are watching the consequences unfold before our eyes.”
The bill failed on a 49-50 vote along mostly party lines, with Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, James Lankford and Mitt Romney voting in favor of advancing the bill. It was only members of the Diet.
Tester’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News’ Brandon Gillespie and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
