Immigrant Healthcare Limits: Cassidy Unveils Proposal to Cease Federal Funding
Senator Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the HELP committee, is addressing concerns about Medicaid benefits for undocumented residents in liberal states.
He is introducing the Protect Medicaid Act, a legislation designed to prevent American citizens in one state from subsidizing healthcare programs for illegal immigrants in other states.
The proposed bill tackles a loophole where some states, notably California, utilize state funds to extend Medicaid benefits to individuals without legal immigration status. Sen. Cassidy argues that this practice not only violates federal law but also acts as a pull factor for more illegal immigration, potentially burdening states with additional debt.
Under the Protect Medicaid Act, if a state chooses to provide Medicaid benefits to undocumented residents, it must assume full financial responsibility without imposing any costs on taxpayers from other states. This measure seeks to ensure that federal funds are not utilized to administer Medicaid benefits to noncitizens.
Healthcare Services for Illegal Immigrants
In addition to these provisions, the bill calls for an investigation by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The inquiry will focus on how states offering Medicaid services to illegal individuals maintain the separation of federal and state funds. It will also assess whether states use tactics like provider taxes and intergovernmental transfers to manipulate federal dollars.
California, with nearly 700,000 illegal immigrants aged 26 to 49 qualifying for health care services, is at the forefront of the issue.
The state’s taxpayers are expected to bear an estimated $3.1 billion in costs for healthcare coverage subsidies. Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of extending health care coverage to additional illegal immigrants adds to the concerns raised by Sen. Cassidy.
The introduction of the Protect Medicaid Act comes amid a surge in attempted border crossings, with over 302,000 migrants documented in the southern border region during December. This marked the highest total for a single month ever recorded, underscoring the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration and its impact on healthcare systems.
