Illegals' health care costs increasing

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ANNAPOLIS -- State Comptroller William Donald Schaefer said yesterday that health care costs for illegal aliens in Maryland are much higher than reported -- and taxpayers and consumers are footing the bill.

"I am very concerned over this," Mr. Schaefer told Maryland Budget Secretary James C. "Chip" DiPaula Jr. during a Board of Public Works meeting.

Mr. Schaefer, a Democrat, cited state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene numbers that show Maryland paid $44 million last year for emergency care for illegal aliens.

"That's a lot of money, and you are not allowed to ask them if they are illegal," said Mr. Schaefer, the 82-year-old former governor.

Mr. Schaefer has become increasingly concerned about the cost of health care for illegal aliens, or at least publicly, since an August 11 BPW meeting, at which state Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Nelson J. Sabatini said Maryland spends $40 million to $44 million annually on health care for illegal aliens.

Mr. Sabatini yesterday said the figure is closer to $44 million and is "trending up."

Mr. DiPaula, also a top official in Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s administration, has estimated the cost at roughly $30 million a year, but said the number is being reviewed.

Mr. Schaefer is not alone among state politicians in his concern.

Delegate Patrick L. McDonough, who has sought tougher laws on illegal immigration through a series of bills, has estimated that the total cost is closer to $100 million. He and Delegate Richard K. Impallaria, Baltimore County Republicans, plan to reintroduce legislation to learn the exact cost of services of those here illegally.

A Democrat-controlled House committee killed the legislation last year during the 2004 General Assembly.