The Minnesota Legislature approved a controversial measure Monday that will remove undocumented immigrant adults from the state health program MinnesotaCare by the end of this year. This decision is part of a broader budget agreement for the next two years in a sharply divided Capitol.
The new law reverses a recent expansion that allowed undocumented adults to access MinnesotaCare starting this January. The bill now heads to Governor Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it. Another proposal threatens to withhold health department funding if he refuses.
Republican lawmakers strongly supported the rollback, arguing that the program’s growing enrollment could lead to unsustainable costs. “If California and Illinois can’t make the numbers work, what makes us think Minnesota can?” said Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey. “Will we continue fiscal recklessness or protect taxpayers now?”
Democrats sharply opposed the move, warning it would harm thousands of vulnerable people. Rep. Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, called the bill “cruel and inhumane” and said it would cost real Minnesotan lives. Former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who helped negotiate the budget deal, was the only Democrat to vote for the bill despite her personal opposition.
Currently, more than 20,000 undocumented immigrants are enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with nearly a quarter under 18. State data shows the program’s early costs were slightly higher than predicted. From January to April, paid claims totaled $3.9 million. However, officials said it is too soon to tell if future costs will match Republican concerns.
The House debated the bill for four hours during Monday’s special session, facing protesters outside who held signs saying, “Health care cuts kill.” The Senate passed it later with all Republicans and four Democrats voting yes. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, fought back tears as she spoke about the painful decision.
Lawmakers worked behind closed doors for weeks to finalize a roughly $66 billion state budget. The MinnesotaCare rollback was the most divisive issue among 14 bills considered during the special session.
The bill’s passage marks a significant shift in Minnesota’s health coverage policies for undocumented immigrants, highlighting ongoing debates over fiscal responsibility and human impact.
