Map Shows Democrat States Rolling Back Health Care Benefits for Immigrants

Newsweek

5 hours ago

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Multiple Democratic-led states, including California, Illinois and Minnesota, have moved to roll back or freeze health care coverage for undocumented immigrants. Others may follow suit.
Why It Matters
The rollback of state-funded health care access for undocumented immigrants could signal a significant policy shift with national implications. The developments come amid larger debates over immigration and health care policy at a time when state and federal budgets face significant pressures.
What To Know
These policy reversals have been attributed by the states' Democratic leaders to mounting budget deficits and rising program costs. While coverage for many undocumented residents had been expanded in recent years, governors announced measures to reduce benefits, freeze new enrollments or end programs entirely.
Such changes could affect tens of thousands of individuals and counter notions of universal health care, backed by many Democrats, while prompting broader reassessment of similar programs in other states, including Colorado, New York and Washington.
Some Democratic-run states are rolling back health care, or considering rolling it back, for undocumented immigrants because of tightened budgets.
Some Democratic-run states are rolling back health care, or considering rolling it back, for undocumented immigrants because of tightened budgets.
Flourish
California: Enrollment Freeze and Possible Benefit Reductions
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to freeze new enrollments in Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, for undocumented adults. Existing recipients would remain covered but could face reduced benefits in the future.
Starting in 2027, the state plans to introduce a $100 monthly premium for adults without satisfactory immigration status, attributed to higher-than-expected spending and a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall.
The pause in California is for undocumented adults who haven't already enrolled in Medi-Cal, not people already enrolled. It does not apply to those under age 19, as even those who turn 19 and are on Medi-Cal and remain income eligible will keep their coverage.
In May, Newsom said: "We are not cutting or rolling back those that are already enrolled in our Medi-Cal system, we're just capping it....No state has done more than the state of California, no state will continue to more than the state of California by a long shot. That's a point of pride and that's a point of privilege to be governor that's been part of that effort."
Under Newsom, California became the first state to offer full-scope Medi-Cal to all low-income adults, regardless of immigration status—expanding access in phases to young adults in 2020, older adults in 2022 and all remaining adults in 2024.
"Governor Newsom championed these expansions and remains committed to protecting the immigrant communities who contribute to the fabric and economy of California," Elana Ross, deputy communications director for Newsom's office, told Newsweek on Friday. "He refuses to turn his back on hard-working Californians, especially when it comes to their basic health care needs.
"But because of the $16 billion Trump Slump and higher-than-expected health care utilization, the state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians."
Proposed adjustments in California's 2025-26 budget would include a $100 monthly premium for certain adults, effective January 1, 2027, and applies to Medi-Cal enrollees age 19 and older with "unsatisfactory immigration status—in line with the average subsidized covered California premium, which is about $135 per month in 2025.
The estimated general fund savings would be $2.1 billion by 2028-29.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at East Los Angeles College on February 26, 2025, in Monterey Park, California.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at East Los Angeles College on February 26, 2025, in Monterey Park, California.The enrollment freeze for full-scope Medi-Cal for undocumented adults, effective no sooner than January 1, 2026, applies only to new adult applicants over 19.
Nobody under such a freeze would be kicked off their health care. There would be no impact on limited-scope coverage (emergency, pregnancy services, etc.) and children would remain unaffected.
The state, which has previously frozen a publicly sponsored coverage program during difficult budget years, has estimated general-fund savings to be $3.3 billion by 2028-29.
Illinois: Full Program Termination
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proposed ending the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program as of July 1. The program, launched in 2021, provided state-funded health coverage to more than 30,000 low-income undocumented adults.
The decision is a response to higher-than-anticipated costs, aligning with broader deficit reduction efforts. Those previously enrolled will be left without similar coverage options.
Newsweek reached out to Pritzker's office for comment.
Minnesota: Removal From MinnesotaCare
Pritzker specifically related his in-state efforts to what is happening in neighboring states like Minnesota, where Governor Tim Walz said he would sign a bill removing undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, a state-funded program, by year's end.
While coverage for undocumented adults will end, eligibility will continue for undocumented children. The bill reversed a major health policy expansion from 2023.
Newsweek reached out to Walz's office for comment.
Broader National Trend and Political Debate
Congressional Republicans in Colorado, one of seven states offering health care regardless of immigration status, are urging Democratic Governor Jared Polis to rescind Medicaid eligibility for undocumented immigrants.
A letter co-signed by Representatives Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank and Gabe Evans referenced recent rollbacks in California and Minnesota, and cited concerns over rising costs and effects on the state's Medicaid program.
The letter, in part, says that each new dollar invested in care for illegal immigrants is a dollar that could go to supporting long-term care for seniors or keeping rural hospitals open.
"Congressman Gabe Evans believes Governor Polis should prioritize taxpayer-funded health care for citizens who need it most: single mothers, children and people with disabilities," a spokesperson for Evans told Newsweek on Friday. "Additionally, every dollar that Colorado hands out for free health care for illegal immigrants is money that can't be spent on seniors and rural hospitals."
Newsweek reached out to Polis' office for comment.
What Happens Next
Debate in other states, such as New York and Washington, suggests that similar policy shifts could spread. Democratic governors pointed to financial constraints and anticipated federal funding cuts as primary reasons for reversing course.
Pressures from federal proposals, such as a Trump-endorsed bill to reduce Medicaid support for states offering coverage to undocumented immigrants, are shaping state policies.
States like New York and Washington are reviewing their own policies, signaling that further changes may be forthcoming as budget negotiations and federal actions continue.