Republican bill would take Medicaid from undocumented immigrants

A Republican congressman has tabled a federal bill to strip away Medicaid from undocumented immigrants.

Kevin Kiley, who represents California’s 3rd congressional district, wants to prohibit states from using both federal and state Medicaid funds to provide services for illegal immigrants. His bill includes an exception for emergency services.

The California Republican said the legislation would save state taxpayers “billions of dollars each year.”

Newsweek has left a voicemail at the office of Congressman Kiley asking for further comment.

Why It Matters

The bill could prevent states such as California from using either federal or state Medicaid funds to provide medical services to people who are undocumented. The GOP is looking for ways to slash government funding as they pave the way to fund President Donald Trump‘s mass deportation plans. Border czar Tom Homan said the administration will need $86 billion from Congress to begin mass removals.

What To Know

The No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act introduced by Kiley would likely face an uphill battle to pass. Although the GOP controls Congress and the White House, their majorities in both the House and Senate are razor-thin.

This bill would need 60 votes in the Senate to proceed. Republicans control 53 of the 100 seats.

The Trump administration has vowed to make sweeping changes to health care, which will affect millions of Americans, and GOP lawmakers have proposed a raft of cost-cutting measures that could limit access to Medicaid and Medicare.

“Currently, many noncitizens who entered the country illegally are eligible for federal health care programs, including advance premium tax credits and Medicaid,” says a memo on the measures. “This policy [contained in the bill] would remove specified categories of noncitizens from eligibility for federal health care programs,” with an estimated $35 billion in savings projected over 10 years.

In response to Trump’s policies, Protect Our Care, an advocacy group aligned with Democrats, is launching a $10 million “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign on how the program helps protect vulnerable Americans who are older, disabled, or on low income.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy M.D. (R-LA), alongside Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and John Barrasso (R-WY), previously introduced the Protect Medicaid Act to prohibit blue states from using federal funding to spend on Medicaid for undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, the second Trump administration has begun enacting its hardline immigration agenda.

Trump shut down the CBP One app immediately after assuming office and signed executive orders on deploying U.S. troops to the southern border, ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, dismantling programs initiated under former president Joe Biden, and taking steps to target transnational criminal gangs, incoming White House officials told reporters in a press call.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued new directives that rescind restrictions on targeting sensitive locations such as schools, universities, health care facilities, and places of worship, placed on ICE agents under the Biden administration.

What People Are Saying

Congressman Kevin Kiley, who represents California’s 3rd congressional district, said in a statement: “This common-sense legislation ensures that taxpayer-funded health care benefits are preserved for those who lawfully qualify, prioritizing the needs of American citizens and legal residents while promoting fairness and fiscal responsibility.”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy previously told Newsweek. “Part of securing the border and supporting President Trump’s agenda means eliminating the incentives drawing people here illegally. That’s why I introduced a bill to stop states that attempt to expand Medicaid coverage to illegal migrants.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn said in a statement in 2024: “Tennesseans and the American people do not want their tax dollars subsidizing Medicaid for illegal immigrants. Not only is it unfair to hardworking citizens, but it incentivizes more illegal immigration and puts the care of millions of Americans on the back burner.”

What Happens Next

It is unlikely that Democrats will get behind a bill that limits Medicaid for undocumented immigrants as Republicans look to slash federal funding to finance Trump’s grand plan to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in American history.