Shutdown Standoff Fueled by false Claims: Republicans allege Democrats Prioritize Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants
WASHINGTON – A looming government shutdown is being partially fueled by inaccurate claims from Republicans alleging that Democrats are prioritizing healthcare access for immigrants residing in the U.S.illegally, a claim fact-checkers have deemed false. The dispute centers on a Democratic budget proposal aimed at averting a shutdown and reversing Republican-led cuts to healthcare programs.
Senator J.D. Vance asserted that Democrats are “threatening to shut down the entire government as they want to give hundreds of billions of dollars of health care benefits to illegal aliens.” This claim, amplified by some within the White House, lacks factual basis, according to a review of the Democratic proposal and independent analyses.
The Democratic plan, outlined in a Sept. 17 document (here), focuses on permanently extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and restoring funding to Medicaid and othre health programs that were reduced by previous Republican legislation. Crucially, the proposal explicitly does not expand eligibility for federally funded healthcare - including medicare and Medicaid – to individuals in the U.S. illegally. These individuals are already largely ineligible for such programs and cannot purchase ACA marketplace plans with subsidies.
Rather, the Democratic proposal seeks to restore access to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Programme (CHIP), and ACA coverage for legal immigrants – refugees and those granted asylum – who were previously eligible but are set to lose coverage due to provisions in a 2025 tax and budget law.
When pressed for evidence, White House officials and Representative Mike Johnson referenced the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Though, a KFF analysis (here) of CBO estimates found that the Republican law’s provisions regarding legal immigrants would reduce federal spending by $131 billion. This projection specifically excludes any estimate related to individuals without legal status.
The Democratic proposal does include a small amount of funding for Emergency Medicaid, which reimburses hospitals for providing emergency care to immigrants who would be eligible for Medicaid but for their immigration status.Though, this is not a new benefit and does not represent the “hundreds of billions” claimed by Vance.
Fact-checkers have consistently rated the claim as false, highlighting the misrepresentation of the Democratic proposal’s intent and the lack of evidence supporting the financial figures cited by Republicans. The dispute underscores the politically charged surroundings surrounding immigration and healthcare policy as Congress faces a critical deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
