Showdown Over Prenatal Care Shaping Up in Nebraska

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Showdown Over Prenatal Care Shaping Up in Nebraska
Lincoln, Neb.
Some Nebraska lawmakers disagree with Gov. Dave Heineman's administration about whether pregnant, illegal immigrants will be allowed to continue receiving prenatal care under a new program being developed.
Some Nebraska lawmakers disagree with Gov. Dave Heineman's administration about whether pregnant, illegal immigrants will be allowed to continue receiving prenatal care under a new program being developed.
Vivianne Chaumont, Nebraska's Medicaid director, said Tuesday a law passed last year that bars illegal immigrants from getting public benefits would have to be changed to allow prenatal care to continue for about 1,000 illegal immigrants.
Some lawmakers disagree because the intent of the new program would be to help the unborn, who will be legal U.S. citizens.
The issue of prenatal care emerged when federal officials told the state in December that it was breaking federal rules by allowing the unborn to qualify for Medicaid.