Congressman Kevin Kiley, a Republican from California, has recently introduced a bill aimed at preventing states like California from allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in Medicaid. This legislation comes in response to California’s decision in January 2024 to expand Medicaid enrollment to include all illegal immigrants, a move that Kiley estimates costs the state $6.5 billion annually.
In a statement regarding the bill, Kiley emphasized the importance of preserving taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for those who lawfully qualify, prioritizing American citizens and legal residents while promoting fairness and fiscal responsibility. He also pointed out the struggles that many Americans enrolled in Medicaid face in finding doctors, highlighting the strain that providing free healthcare to illegal immigrants places on the system.
California, known for its sanctuary state laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials, is currently in a special session called by Governor Gavin Newsom to “Trump-proof” the state. This session includes funding for state and local lawsuits against the Trump administration and legal aid for deportation defense.
The state is home to approximately 2.7 million illegal immigrants and has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants. A preliminary injunction against the order is in place until the matter can be fully adjudicated in court.
Overall, Kiley’s bill aims to address the strain that providing healthcare to illegal immigrants places on the system, while also prioritizing the healthcare needs of American citizens and legal residents. It will be interesting to see how this legislation progresses and what impact it may have on healthcare policy in California and beyond.
