In recent years, several states including California, Illinois, and Minnesota have begun limiting or ending Medicaid coverage for low-income immigrants without legal status, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals.

While seven states and the District of Columbia expanded healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants since 2020, recent cuts in California, Illinois, and Minnesota threaten to undo these gains, leaving many without access to essential services.

California and other Democratic-led states are rolling back Medicaid access for low-income immigrants due to budget concerns, causing fear and uncertainty among those affected.

For many immigrants like Maria in California, Medicaid, specifically Medi-Cal, has been a vital resource that significantly improved their health access after years of relying on home remedies.

Providers are concerned that the rollback of Medicaid will worsen health outcomes, as immigrants may avoid preventive care and rely more on emergency services.

Maria’s experience highlights how the loss of coverage could reverse health gains, as she previously benefited from Medi-Cal, which provided her with essential health management.

California plans to stop new enrollments for adults in Medi-Cal starting in 2026 to address a projected $12 billion budget deficit, potentially causing around 200,000 people to lose coverage.

Illinois will terminate the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults Program, affecting approximately 31,500 adult immigrants and saving about $404 million, while Minnesota ended coverage for all adult immigrants, saving nearly $57 million.

Healthcare leaders warn that these policy changes may lead to higher long-term costs due to untreated conditions escalating, resulting in increased emergency room visits and uncompensated hospital care.

The policy shifts have increased anxiety among immigrant patients, many of whom are opting for virtual appointments or skipping necessary medical visits and medication refills out of fear of immigration enforcement.

Community health clinics are overwhelmed as undocumented individuals rush to receive care before losing coverage, underscoring the urgent need for accessible healthcare for these populations.

Federal policy changes, including reduced Medicaid funding starting in October 2027, are adding financial pressures on state programs, complicating efforts to maintain coverage for immigrant populations.