The influx of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border has led to substantial healthcare debts, largely due to a lack of insurance and exploitation of Medicaid benefits.
The House Committee on Homeland Security revealed in a November 2023 report that the immigration policies of the Biden administration are costing approximately $451 billion a year, with a significant amount of this figure being spent on healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Many of these individuals do not have health insurance yet accumulate substantial healthcare debts due to extended hospital stays. A considerable number are also eligible for government assistance, including Medicaid.
In early 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched the first program at the state level to offer undocumented immigrants free, subsidized healthcare via the Medi-Cal system. Simply by entering California from the southern border, an undocumented immigrant can receive insurance funded by taxpayers.
This program is expected to cost taxpayers over $4.8 billion.
A few other things you probably don’t know: illegals in America can get bank loans, mortgages, insurance, driver’s licenses, free healthcare (California & New York) and in-state college tuition.
What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits, but doesn’t…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2024
Dr. Robert Trenschel, CEO of Yuma Regional Medical Center in Arizona, noted during a congressional hearing in 2023 that the resource demands by illegal immigrants are triple the average in some cases.
Dr. Trenschel highlighted the severe health conditions among the migrants, including the need for dialysis, cardiac procedures, and even heart surgery.
“Some [illegal] migrants come with minor ailments, but many of them come in with significant disease,” Trenschel said during the hearing. “We’ve had migrant patients on dialysis, cardiac catheterization, and in need of heart surgery. Many are very sick.”
#ICYMI: Dr. Robert Trenschel, president of Yuma Regional Medical Center, discusses the detrimental impacts that illegal immigration has on local hospitals. pic.twitter.com/LnmKONB3DA
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 23, 2023
Another significant issue is the prolonged ICU stays, especially among pregnant women lacking adequate prenatal care, leading to a spike in the need for neonatal intensive care.
Amidst the ongoing challenges, some House Republicans are seeking ways to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid. Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) introduced the Protect Medicaid Act in January, aiming to safeguard federal funds from being utilized by illegal immigrants for Medicaid benefits.
“We must stop rewarding those who break our laws at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens,” Hudson posted on X.
My Protect Medicaid Act would prevent liberal states, like California, from abusing a loophole to provide taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants.
We must stop rewarding those who break our laws at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens. https://t.co/9x4IHQdUW6
— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) January 17, 2024
Guthrie shared a statement on X, declaring, “As Health Chairman it is my number one priority to reform our healthcare system and bring down costs for everyday Americans.”
This afternoon I was proud to help introduce the Protect Medicaid Act alongside my colleague @RepRichHudson which will ensure federal taxpayer dollars are spent on Americans and eliminate incentives for illegal immigrants to continue crossing our Southern border. pic.twitter.com/hxXALUn2vH
— Rep. Brett Guthrie (@RepGuthrie) January 17, 2024
