Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act (HR 4414) to Permit Employers to Discriminate Against Legal Permanent Residents
WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 29, 2014. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act (HR 4414). Rocio Saenz, Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:
“Earlier today, the House passed a bill that would leave millions of legal permanent residents and temporary workers in the United States vulnerable to substandard insurance policies. Rather than narrowly addressing the issues relevant to expatriates and access to health insurance, HR 4414 would exempt plans that provide insurance solely to green card holders and guest workers from the standards that apply to others even if they never work a day outside of our country.
“As a result, as currently written, this bill would deny legal permanent residents the protections that are provided to U.S. citizens, creating a loophole that could be exploited by employers looking for ways to avoid those requirements. Legal permanent residents are essentially citizens-in-waiting with deep roots in our communities. America should not be in the business of jeopardizing the rights and benefits of individuals who are every bit a part of the fabric of our nation.
“As the bill moves forward, we hope that legislators will make necessary improvements and ensure that it does not allow for the legal discrimination of green card holders; otherwise, our country would be taking a fundamental step backward.”
Source: seiu.org
