Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal, Roll Back Health Care For Undocumented Adults Amidst Protests

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal, Roll Back Health Care For Undocumented Adults Amidst Protests

St. Paul, MN – A hard-fought budget agreement reached by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and state legislative leaders has sparked controversy, primarily due to a provision that rolls back state-funded health care coverage for undocumented adults. The deal, unveiled Thursday, comes amidst a backdrop of intense political debate and vocal protests.

Key Points:

• Budget Agreement:
  • Governor Tim Walz, House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring), Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul), and House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman announced the budget framework.
  • The agreement aims to finalize the state's two-year budget, estimated to be between $66 billion and $67 billion.
  • A key point of contention was the MinnesotaCare program, which provides health care coverage to low-income Minnesotans.

• Health Care Rollback:
  • The agreement stipulates that undocumented adults will no longer be eligible for MinnesotaCare coverage.
  • However, undocumented children will retain their eligibility.
  • This decision reverses a recent expansion of the program, which began in January of 2025.
  • The coverage for the undocumented adults will end December 31st of 2025.

• Political Fallout:
  • The rollback has drawn strong criticism from progressive Democrats and advocates for immigrant rights.
  • Protests erupted at the State Capitol, with lawmakers and activists voicing their opposition.
  • Concerns were raised about the impact on individuals receiving critical medical treatments, such as cancer care and dialysis.
  • Republicans argued that the cost of the program was unsustainable.
  • Democrats argued that the undocumented people of Minnesota pay taxes, and deserve healthcare.

• Fiscal Concerns:
  • Republicans cited concerns about the escalating costs of the MinnesotaCare program, particularly with higher-than-anticipated enrollment.
  • The budget deal also addresses a projected future deficit.

• Legislative Dynamics:
  • The Minnesota Legislature is closely divided, contributing to the difficulty in reaching a compromise.
  • The House is tied, and the DFL holds a narrow majority in the Senate.
  • The Senate minority leader, Mark Johnson, did not sign the budget agreement.

Context:

The decision to roll back health care coverage for undocumented adults has ignited a fierce debate about the state's responsibilities to its residents. Advocates argue that access to health care is a fundamental human right, while others express concerns about the financial implications of providing such coverage. The outcome of this budget deal will significantly impact thousands of Minnesota residents.