Richardson's Universal Health Care Plan Less than Universal

Richardson's Health Plan Excludes Some

By BARRY MASSEY – SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Immigrants living in New Mexico illegally will not be covered by Gov. Bill Richardson's proposal for universal health care. Richardson, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has said his goal is to ensure all New Mexicans have access to medical coverage.

However, illegal immigrants — and some legal immigrants who recently arrived in the United States — will not be eligible for the publicly financed health programs Richardson proposes to offer to low- and middle-income households that don't have medical insurance.