Democratic governors of states that provide health insurance for immigrants without legal status propose to sign them as post-coverage of the law.

As states respond to budget vulnerabilities, efforts to restrict access to programs have become a common thread. The debate about post-rolling coverage or eliminating it altogether is because Congress considers a recommendation Reduce state Medicaid funding from 90% to 80% If they provide health insurance to immigrants without proper authorization.

California

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced He wants to freeze new enrollment For unauthorized people, a $100 monthly premium will be charged starting in January 2026 on the insurance plan for 19-year-olds or low-income people in California. Exceptions will be made to pregnant women and emergency rooms.

"I don't want to take this position, but we're in this position," Newsom said.

California expands MEDI-CAL to include all adults without legal status in 2024, while 1.6 million immigrants in California are currently receiving health insurance through the program. Under the proposal, those who have registered at the end of the year are still eligible for coverage, but other adults without legal status cannot enroll.

Republicans who have been opposed to the expansion of the plan from the outset criticized Newsom for continuing to report on its latest proposal.

"The governor showed his priorities," said Republican, a California Congressional Minority Leader James Gallagher. "He wants to continue to use health care for illegal immigrants. Billions of dollars."

The Democratic governor also faces challenges from state legislators in his own party, including members of the Latino caucus in the legislature, who say they will maintain certain forms of coverage for those without legal status within the last month of budget negotiations.

“We can look at options for budgets elsewhere,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez, a democratic country who chairs the Legislative Latino Caucus. “We can pay more attention to how we do this without always looking at the most underserved communities we serve.”

Experts, lawmakers and Newsom noted that the state pays for coverage in two ways. Those without health insurance often seek care in the emergency room, so some lawmakers and advocates initially pushed for expanded access so that people can take care of regularly, such as doctors’ visits and prescription medications.

In states where lawmakers grant Medicaid access to undocumented immigrants, hospital administrators and faith groups, and immigration advocates, helps drive the expansion of benefits.

Minnesota

This is true in Minnesota, and the proposal aims to deprive the country of health insurance that it provides for adults in the country without authorization as part of the compromise budget framework.

This has sparked immediate opposition from some Democrats and immigration advocates.

A group of Democratic lawmakers hit Tim Walz in the door of the room Thursday, and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is working on a budget plan with legislative leaders.

They shouted, “You are killing our community,” and said they would vote against the provision that leaves adult immigrants without legal status and in compliance with the state’s Medicaid program, which is 2026 in Minnesota. Under the proposed budget, children are still eligible for coverage.

In 2023, the Democrats passed a bill that granted all people in the country without legal status to receive state-funded health coverage, which Waltz signed. The program came into effect in January and has been recruited by more than 20,000 people, including about 3,000 children.

Walz and democratic legislative leaders say they oppose the change but must accept part of the budget framework. The state legislature is almost split, with 101 Democrats and 100 Republicans, so they say they need to accept the priorities of Republican lawmakers.

"I won't go to sugarcoat how difficult it is," Walz said. "We didn't expect everyone would be happy about it; I think many of us have compromised."

Republicans' state speaker Lisa Demuth agreed that it was a compromise that could help projected to fill the $6 billion budget deficit over the next four years.

“It’s not a measure of disregard. It’s a financial issue and there’s still a chance,” Demuth said. “They can still join the private market, so it’s not about turning down health care in any way,” she added. “We have to make tough decisions in that room, and when we look at the numbers, we look forward, it’s a compromise, and we all have any negotiations. No one comes out to be totally happy.”

Some Democratic lawmakers fighting for the plan said they would object to the rollback. Without their vote, measures in the broader health budget bill could stagnate.

“Although we protect the kids, it’s a very noble thing, these kids will lose mom, dad, grandfather, aunt, uncle, brother and sister,” said Rep. “That’s what we’re facing here today.”

If Minnesota lawmakers fail to pass the budget by July 1, they may face state closures.