Checking Misconceptions: The Truth About Medicaid and Illegal Immigration

A recent House-passed reconciliation bill aims to curtail federal funding to states that offer health insurance to undocumented immigrants, potentially leaving 1.4 million individuals without coverage, per a preliminary CBO analysis. However, both President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers misconstrue this measure as a removal from Medicaid, which is a joint federal-state program that excludes undocumented individuals from receiving any benefits, aside from emergencies. Georgetown University's Leonardo Cuello emphasized that any state-funded program isn’t classified as Medicaid. Additionally, while the bill suggests significant changes to Medicaid, only 80% of U.S. households would see tax cuts. Misleading claims that 1.4 million would lose Medicaid benefits fail to acknowledge these individuals were never eligible for comprehensive coverage. As the debate intensifies, the bill awaits Senate scrutiny.