We are more of an advice forum than a political blog, but we can probably add some insight to your concerns. First of all, they are valid and epress the sentiments of many California residents. However, this is only proposed health insurance legislation and has not yet been implemented. The proposal is not to provide health insurance to all illegals, just their children, through the epansion of California's Healthy Families program. We epect that there will be much heated debate over this matter in the weeks and months to come. This proposed legislation is part of the Governor's plan to bring a universal health care system to California. He is touting his plan as providing health insurance to all Californians, but this is an impossible task. This can't be done without changing current Regulations in the state, such as those that allow the insurance companies to deny coverage to persons like you with pre-eisting medical conditions. The state does not have enough money to offer subsidized health insurance to persons in your situation, and state sponsored health plans are only available to those families of lower income, such as the illegal immigrants that you mention. Sure, we could borrow even more money to assist ta-paying citizens like yourself, but who is going to pay it back? The children of the children of illegal immigrants? They are likely to be the only remaining residents of this fine state. ;-) So, to insure more people, the laws need to change. Did you know that California is one of the few states in the country that prohibits insurance companies from placing an elimination rider on an individual health plan? In other states, you may be able to get health insurance, but the insurance company would eclude from coverage treatment for your pre-eisting condition that is causing you to be declined in California. There are many people that can't get health insurance because of this regulation, and you would be surprised out how seemingly minor their pre-eisting conditions are. Removing this restriction would allow many Californians, such as yourself, to move out of the rank of uninsured. Furthermore, California would need to be a guaranteed issue state for health insurance, meaning that the insurance companies will be required to insure everybody, regardless of health status. This is mentioned in the governor's proposal, but is not going to solve the problem. If this happens, many insurance companies will stop offering Individuals in the state and premiums will sky-rocket for those that remain, which will make insurance unaffordable for even more California residents. New York is a prime eample of this. They are a guaranteed issue state and have an uninsured rate of 15.5%. It is not as high as California's 19.4%, but we are uncertain what percentage of the number of uninsured in California come from the illegal immigrant population. Health insurance rates in New York, compared to the benefits offered through their available health plans, are higher than those in California. Insurance rates are based on claims history and actuarial estimates of future claims from insured members. The high premiums in New York account for a large part of the 15.5%. New Yorker's are not uninsured because they can't get insurance, they are uninsured because they can't afford it. Most states are not guaranteed issue states, but they allow elimination riders. Overall, these states have a lower percentage of insured residents than New York or California. There is a federal law that requires hospital emergency rooms to treat any person that walks in the door seeking medical attention, regardless of their legal status. We understand your frustration in having your ta dollars go toward providing health insurance to this segment of the population, but we are already paying for their medical treatment indirectly. The hospitals are taking the brunt of this epense, but they pass the cost on to insurance companies, who then raise our insurance premiums to offset the increased negotiated rates they must pay the hospitals. Since you aren't paying a health insurance premium, we can understand how you, and persons in your situation, can be most frustrated by this proposed legislation. Now, let's get to the advice part. Have you looked into the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program?