ST. PAUL – A recent update from the Minnesota Department of Health finds the state’s decision to provide free health care to illegal immigrants has become much more costly than anticipated.
“It turns out that when you offer something for nothing, especially when that something is free health care, it becomes very popular,” said State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska). “The number of illegal immigrants participating in this program has more than doubled expectations, and it’s only been available for less than two years.”
In 2023, a Democrat-led legislature and Governor Walz expanded MinnesotaCare eligibility to illegal immigrants. MinnesotaCare is a health coverage program for low-income individuals and families who do not have access to employee-sponsored health insurance and do not qualify for Medical Assistance. Unlike other Medicaid services where the federal government pays 90% of the costs for enrollees, illegal immigrants don’t qualify for federal matching funds, meaning Minnesota now pays 100% of their health insurance costs.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 17,396 illegal immigrants are now enrolled in MinnesotaCare, more than twice the original estimate of 7,700. Originally projected to cost $196 million over four years, state taxpayers are now on the hook for an estimated $550 million, and Torkelson said that number is growing by the day.
With Minnesota facing a $6 billion deficit during the next budget period, Torkelson said the issue needs to be addressed.
“We’re now spending more than half a billion dollars to give illegal immigrants free health care, yet Governor Walz wants to cut nursing home funding by $700 million,” Torkelson said. “This is yet another instance of misplaced priorities, and with a mammoth budget deficit coming up, it’s time for lawmakers to start using some common sense when it comes to funding statewide needs.”