Illegal immigrants already take advantage of public education and other benefits. Now some politicians in California are moving to grant illegal immigrants health-insurance benefits, too.

U.S. News & World Report has the scoop:

The bill, now before California Gov. Jerry Brown, aims to allow people who are in the country illegally to buy private health insurance on the state’s exchange. Its author, Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara estimates that 390,000 such immigrants could receive health insurance, but officials who operate the exchange place that number closer to 50,000.

The legislation is being considered not only at a time when presidential candidates are campaigning in the Golden State but as those running have made health care and illegal immigration central platforms in their bids for the Oval Office, finding that their views on the topics have ignited voters’ passions. To critics of the law, the bill signals another broken promise of Obamacare.

Obamacare explicitly bars people in the country illegally from its provisions, but a loophole called the “innovation waiver” allows for states to change portions of the law, as long as they make coverage available to more people and as long as the federal government doesn’t have to pick up the tab, among other requirements. The bill, which would require that a request for a waiver be filed, first must be approved by the state legislature and the governor before the waiver can be considered by the federal government.

Obamacare is costly enough without a loophole that will drive states further into debt. The last thing California needs is to add to her economic woes. Click here to help Tea Party Patriots encourage lawmakers to repeal Obamacare already!