Democratic governors in California, Illinois, and Minnesota are moving to scale back state-funded health care for undocumented immigrants, citing major budget shortfalls.
In Minnesota, a new bill will end coverage for undocumented adults under MinnesotaCare, the state’s health insurance program for low-income residents, though children will still be eligible.
In California, Governor Newsom’s latest budget plan freezes new enrollment for undocumented adults in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, and introduces a new monthly premium for some adults starting in 2027.
Illinois will end its Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program by July 1, which currently covers over 30,000 low-income undocumented residents.
These rollbacks come after years of expanding access to health care for undocumented immigrants.
Health experts and advocacy groups warn that cutting coverage could harm public health—not only for immigrants, but for entire communities—by increasing the risk of untreated illnesses and straining emergency rooms.
Advocates emphasize that immigrants contribute billions in taxes and that broad access to health care helps keep everyone healthier.
While these changes may help balance state budgets, critics argue they put vulnerable populations at risk and could undermine the health care infrastructure that serves all residents.
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