S348 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 13, 2009 

mail, the new rules require a trip to see a 

Medicaid eligibility worker in person. 

‘‘There are all sorts of barriers, particularly for people without transportation and 

who may not have had a documented birth to 

begin with,’’ Carnes said. 

Raulerson said she cares for a family in 

Monroe County that once had Medicaid benefits but, without a car, has not been able to 

renew their coverage. 

Medicaid officials say they don’t know how 

many Alabamians have lost their Medicaid 

benefits because they couldn’t, or didn’t, 

visit an eligibility worker. 

The Alabama Medicaid Agency is also 

working with other state agencies, such as 

the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, to see if they’ve already 

verified a person’s citizenship, she said. 

People who also receive Medicare, the 

health care program for seniors, or Supplemental Security Income for a disability were 

exempted from the requirements after state 

Medicaid officials from across the country 

complained that would be too burdensome. 

Other states are struggling to comply as 

well. 

California has yet to implement the new 

federal rules. Vermont and other states are 

phasing in the regulations. While the law 

was designed to cut down on Medicaid fraud 

by illegal immigrants, Herrmann-Steckel 

said she does not believe Alabama has a 

widespread problem of illegal aliens receiving Medicaid. 

NEW MEDICAID RULES COULD COST STATE

MILLIONS

(By John Hanna) 

The state could face millions of dollars in 

additional costs because of federal rules requiring Medicaid recipients to verify their 

citizenship, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said 

Wednesday. 

Sebelius said she’s worried the state will 

have to pick up the full cost of caring for 

some poor, frail and elderly Kansans who are 

living in nursing homes, instead of sharing 

the cost with the federal government. Also, 

she said, she will propose adding state employees to verify the citizenship status of 

Medicaid recipients and applicants. 

The governor told reporters she hopes Congress reviews the issue and other attempts to 

prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining 

social services or using driver’s licenses as 

identification. 

‘‘There was no input from the states on 

how realistic these were or what the cost 

was,’’ Sebelius said during a brief news conference following an unrelated meeting. 

Under Medicaid requirements that took effect July 1, recipients must provide either a 

passport or two other documents, such as a 

birth certificate and a driver’s license, to 

verify citizenship. 

While the measure is targeted at illegal 

immigrants, some advocates for the needy 

have worried that citizens will either lose or 

be denied services because they have trouble 

finding the necessary documents. 

State officials say the number of Kansans 

covered by Medicaid dropped almost 7 percent since July 1, down to 253,000 from 

271,000. They believe much of the decline can 

be attributed to the new requirements. 

Typically, every $1 the state spends on 

Medicaid is matched by about $1.50 from the 

federal government. If someone loses their 

coverage, then the state faces paying the entire bill for their services, Sebelius said. 

‘‘You’re at 100 percent state dollars or push 

them out the door,’’ she said. 

Also, Sebelius said, the state needs to 

‘‘ramp up’’ its staffing to handle the additional verification work. The governor is 

working on the budget proposal she’ll submit 

to the 2007 Legislature, which convenes Jan. 

8. 

‘‘We’re certainly going to put some of 

them in place,’’ she said. ‘‘We’re trying to 

make a careful analysis of how many we 

need.’’ 

She said that if the state refuses to comply 

with the law, it could face the loss of all federal health care dollars. 

‘‘We don’t have a lot of latitude to say 

we’re not going to do this,’’ she said. ‘‘There 

are literally hundreds of millions of dollars 

at stake.’’ 

Meanwhile, Sebelius expressed concern 

about a federal law on driver’s licenses 

passed last year. 

Starting in 2008, federal agencies won’t 

treat a state’s licenses as valid ID unless a 

state requires license applicants to document that they’re living in the United States 

legally. Lack of ID could prevent someone 

from entering a federal building or boarding 

a plane. 

Sebelius said the law will require local 

driver’s licenses offices to certify that someone has the proper documentation and to 

store the information. 

‘‘Exactly how that’s going to happen, we’re 

not quite sure,’’ Sebelius said. ‘‘We don’t basically have any of the equipment that’s required to do that in any of the rural areas.’’ 

THOUSANDS IN KANSAS OFF MEDICAID

FOLLOWING CITIZENSHIP RULES

Thousands of low-income Kansans have 

lost or been denied state health care coverage because of new rules requiring them to 

prove they are American citizens, state officials say. 

Since the federally mandated rules took effect July 1, the number of Medicaid recipients in Kansas has decreased by about 18,000, 

to 253,000. While officials can’t determine exactly how much of the 7 percent drop can be 

attributed to the new rules, they believe 

much of it can. 

‘‘The impact to the consumer has been severe,’’ said John Anzivino, a vice president 

for MAXIMUS, a Reston, Va., company that 

helps administer the joint federal-state Medicaid program in Kansas. ‘‘From our perspective, this has possibly been the most dramatic change and challenge to the Medicaid 

program since its inception.’’ 

The new rules were included in last year’s 

federal deficit reduction law and were designed to prevent illegal immigrants from 

enrolling in the state programs providing 

health coverage. 

But consumer advocates said many vulnerable people who legitimately were eligible 

for assistance would lose coverage because 

they couldn’t produce the necessary documentation. 

‘‘We expect that many of these that have 

lost coverage will regain coverage once they 

have gathered and provided the necessary 

documentation,’’ Marcia Nielsen, executive 

director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority, told the Lawrence Journal-World. ‘‘They 

will, however, experience a gap in coverage 

that could prove to be significant for some.’’ 

Medicaid applicants can prove their citizenship by providing a passport. Or they can 

provide other documents that verify both 

their citizenship, such as a birth certificate, 

and their identities, such as a driver’s license. 

Anzivino said most people seeking benefits 

don’t have a passport and are left scrambling 

to find birth certificates and other documents: 

The number of calls each month to a Kansas Medicaid clearinghouse has more than 

doubled to 49,000 from 23,000, official said. 

Meanwhile, Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat whose district is centered on the state’s 

portion of the Kansas City area, said federal 

officials were aware of states’ problems with 

the new rules and probably would work on it 

when the new Congress takes office in January. 

f 

SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS 

SENATE RESOLUTION 13—CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY 

OF FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAM 

FOR WINNING THE 2008 BOWL 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (BCS) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 

Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself 

and Mr. MARTINEZ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on the Judiciary: 

S. RES. 13 

Whereas on January 8, 2009, before a crowd 

of more than 78,000 fans in Miami, Florida, 

the University of Florida Gators won the 2008 

Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national 

title with a stunning 24–14 triumph over the 

University of Oklahoma Sooners; 

Whereas the University of Florida is one of 

the premier academic institutions in the 

State of Florida; 

Whereas the University of Florida Gators 

captured the Southeastern Conference championship title on December 6, 2008; 

Whereas University of Florida football 

Head Coach Urban Meyer has won 2 BCS national championship games in the past 3 

years; 

Whereas University of Florida quarterback 

Tim Tebow was named the Most Outstanding 

Player of the BCS national title; 

Whereas Tim Tebow won the Maxwell 

Award for the second time in 2 years; 

Whereas the University of Florida defense 

held the University of Oklahoma to only 363 

yards of offense in the BCS championship 

game; 

Whereas the Gators finished 2008 ranked 

first in the Associated Press Poll and first in 

the Coaches Poll; 

Whereas the Gators finished the 2008 season with a record of 13–1; 

Whereas the University of Florida student 

athletes are among the most talented in the 

Nation; 

Whereas University of Florida fans worldwide supported and encouraged the Gators 

throughout the football season; 

Whereas University of Florida President J. 

Bernard Machen and Athletic Director Jeremy N. Foley have shown great leadership in 

bringing success and glory to the University 

of Florida; and 

Whereas the University of Florida students, faculty, alumni, and all Gator fans are 

deeply committed to bringing pride to the 

University of Florida and the entire State of 

Florida: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) congratulates the University of Florida 

Gators for winning the 2008 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national championship; 

(2) recognizes the achievements of the 

players, coaches, students, and staff whose 

hard work and dedication helped the University of Florida Gators win the championship; 

and 

(3) respectfully requests the Secretary of 

the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of 

this resolution to— 

(A) the University of Florida for appropriate display; 

(B) President of the University of Florida, 

J. Bernard Machen; 

(C) Athletic Director of the University of 

Florida, Jeremy N. Foley; and 


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January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S349 

(D) Head Coach of the University of Florida football team, Urban Meyer. 

f 

NOTICE OF HEARING 

COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS

Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I would 

like to announce that the Committee 

on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in 

room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office 

Building to conduct an oversight hearing on Job Creation and Economic 

Stimulus in Indian Country. 

Those wishing additional information 

may contact the Indian Affairs Committee at 202–224–2251. 

f 

AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO 

MEET 

COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN

AFFAIRS

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

Urban Affairs be authorized to meet 

during the session of the Senate on 

January 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. to conduct a 

committee hearing on the nomination 

of Mr. Shaun Donovan to be Secretary 

of the U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL

RESOURCES

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during 

the session of the Senate to conduct a 

hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 

at 10 a.m., in room SD–366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. At this 

hearing, the Committee will consider 

the nomination of Steven Chu, to be 

Secretary of Energy. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 

Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of 

the Senate on Tuesday, January 13, 

2009, at 9:30 a.m., to hold hearing a 

nomination hearing. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, 

AND PENSIONS

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 

Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions be authorized to 

meet, during the session of the Senate 

on January 13th, to conduct a hearing 

on the nomination of Mr. Arne Duncan, 

of Illinois, to be Secretary of Education. The hearing will commence at 

10 a.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT 

OF 2009—MOTION TO PROCEED 

CLOTURE MOTION

Mr. REID. I now move to proceed to 

Calendar No. 14, S. 181, and send a cloture motion to the desk. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The cloture motion having been 

presented under rule XXII, the Chair 

directs the clerk to read the motion. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

CLOTURE MOTION

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the 

Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move 

to bring to a close debate on the motion to 

proceed to Calendar No. 14, S. 181, the Lilly 

Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. 

Jim Webb, Benjamin L. Cardin, Richard 

Durbin, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Jeff Bingaman, Mary L. 

Landrieu, Tom Harkin, Hillary 

Rodham Clinton, Charles E. Schumer, 

Sheldon Whitehouse, Christopher J. 

Dodd, Maria Cantwell, Debbie 

Stabenow, Patty Murray, Bernard 

Sanders, Barbara A. Mikulski, Harry 

Reid. 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the mandatory quorum 

be waived. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. 

Mr. REID. I now withdraw the motion. 

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The motion is withdrawn. 

The Senator from New Jersey is recognized. 

GAZA CONFLICT

Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I 

rise to talk about the events that are 

in front of us and their significance. We 

are presently sharing in the excitement 

that surrounds this Capitol and our 

country at the prospect that President 

Obama will be taking office and leading this country in a positive fashion. 

There is a lot of work to do and a lot 

of concerns have been brought to our 

attention. We are reminded by President-elect Obama that people are losing their jobs, and we cannot stand 

still and let it happen. Prospects are 

that maybe 500,000 new people a month 

will be out of work. The economy is 

fragile and there is not the capital 

around to get businesses started or to 

reverse the course we are on. And 

health care is of great concern to people who are uninsured and struggling. 

At the same time that we are concerned about these things now in our 

own country, we have international responsibilities that we cannot ignore. 

Even as excitement surrounds us 

here, inspired by the new President, we 

have to look away from our shores and 

see what is happening in the Middle 

East where there is fighting raging between Israel and Hamas. And even 

while we face domestic problems, we 

cannot step back from what is happening in the Middle East and the responsibility of America as the leading 

Nation on our globe. Although I bring 

this up with some degree of reluctance, 

we must discuss the situation that we 

face. 

We know that governing is about 

choices. When we look at the Middle 

East right now, the choice for Israel is 

whether Israel steps aside and ignores 

the attacks on her people that come 

daily, without provocation. 

We have all heard the opinion around 

the world about how awful the situation in the Middle East is. It is awful. 

It is terrible. When I see children hurt, 

when I see them killed, when I see families distressed as their economy worsens, it is a terrible sight. 

I was in the Gaza Strip some years 

ago, bringing good news and financial 

assistance to the people of the Gaza as 

they opened a new airport. It was during the time that Arafat was President. 

There was hope springing up all around 

that maybe they could get out of the 

misery that existed in the Gaza Strip 

and develop an orderly society. 

Israel is a democracy in an area of 

many nations that are less than democratic. When these economies flourish 

the wealth falls into a few hands, who 

build their buildings, take their resources, and buy bigger yachts and bigger airplanes for themselves and not 

for their countries. But there was hope 

that maybe the Gaza Strip would become a place of opportunity for its people. That is why I was so pleased to be 

there and to bring the promise of aid 

upon which we had agreed. 

There was no Hamas there at that 

time. Now, Hamas is there making determinations about its future and the 

future of the people of the Gaza. Apparently the choice of Hamas is to continue the assault on Israel and to not 

let discussions take place. I am one of 

those people who support a two-state 

commitment there, knowing full well 

that Israel is a place that could share 

its knowledge and experience with the 

people of Gaza. But Hamas refuses to 

do that. It is a terrorist organization. 

I remember a trip I took with several 

colleagues when we went to Iraq and on 

the way we stopped in Jordan and 

Syria, and we spoke to the President of 

Syria and I asked him to try to curb 

the activities of Hamas by securing the 

borders. I said: Why are you encouraging Hamas to find refuge here, have 

their headquarters here along with 

Hezbollah? President Asad said: They 

are a social service organization. 

Social service—Mr. President, that is 

no more a social service organization 

than the people who attacked us on 9/ 

11; than the people who attacked the 

British train system; than those who 

attack innocent people in various 

countries and cities. 

Terrorism is at our throat. We have 

to be wary. It has changed the way our 

society functions. Look at all the inspections you go through if you want 

to catch an airplane or go into public 

buildings—always with an ID card. We 

know the results of terrorism. It is to 

destroy democratic society, take away 

the choices people have in their lives. 

It says women have to conduct themselves in a certain way satisfactory and 


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