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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Monday highlighted a provision in the Medicare bill now pending before the Senate which would provide $50 million to Texas annually in fiscal years 2005 through 2008 to help cover the costs associated with emergency health care for undocumented immigrants. Once approved, the legislation will provide federal funds, as part of the larger Medicare reform bill, for states to cover the costs of unreimbursed emergency health care. It is expected to pass the Congress this week. the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (H.R. 1) includes $250 million annually nationwide over four years, 20 percent of which will be for Texas providers. Eligible recipients include hospitals, physicians, ambulance service providers and Indian Health Service providers who provide emergency health care services to undocumented immigrants."Texas hospitals, in particular those along the border, are deeply hurt by this unfunded mandate,” said Cornyn, a member of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee. “This funding will give a much-needed boost to our doctors and health care providers, allowing them to continue providing access to critical medical services for the border region and across our state.” Earlier this year, Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored legislation similar to the funding included in the Medicare bill. The Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act, S.412 would authorize $1.45 billion annually nationwide for uncompensated emergency health treatment to undocumented immigrants. Under the bill, Texas health care providers would receive approximately $285 million annually based on the amount of undocumented immigrants, and number of apprehensions. Cornyn also praised the increase in low-income beneficiaries covered by the Medicare reform bill. “Many who did not have any prescription drug coverage will be covered under this new benefit,” Cornyn said. “And the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries in Texas with prescription drug coverage will grow to 95 percent from roughly 60 percent.” According to a study commissioned by members of Congress, Texas border counties alone pay nearly $74 million in uncompensated costs due to undocumented immigrants.