ST. PAUL – State Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, is raising concerns after new data reveals enrollment in MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants has more than doubled initial estimates, sending program costs skyrocketing well beyond projections.
The expansion, passed by Democrats in 2023, was originally projected to cost $196 million over four years. With current enrollment, that cost has ballooned to an estimated $550 million and continues to grow. The Minnesota Department of Health indicates 17,396 undocumented individuals are now enrolled in the state-funded health insurance program, more than twice the original forecast of 7,700.
Anderson said the data was not made publicly available and only came to light after persistent inquiries by House Republicans.
“The numbers are huge and growing, far exceeding the cost to taxpayers that was presented back when the former majority expanded healthcare coverage to cover people who are here illegally,” Anderson said. “Minnesotans are already feeling the pinch with higher costs across the board, and now they’re being asked to cover a massive bill that wasn’t part of the original plan.”
Unlike traditional MinnesotaCare recipients, Anderson said undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federal funding support. Typically, the federal government covers 90 percent of program costs, with the state responsible for the remaining 10 percent. Because this population is ineligible for federal matching funds, Minnesota taxpayers are covering the full cost of their coverage.
At the same time, Minnesota faces a projected $6 billion budget deficit. Anderson warned that continued funding for the expansion could jeopardize other critical healthcare services such as ambulance operations, rural hospitals, and emergency care.
“This is putting yet another strain on our limited tax dollars, making it even harder to fund services Minnesotans are counting on.” Anderson said. “It’s not sustainable. We need to get back to our priorities and put Minnesotans first.”
Republicans have introduced legislation to repeal the MinnesotaCare expansion for undocumented immigrants, citing the need to control costs and protect essential services. Anderson said a full repeal would save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the next four years and reduce incentives for illegal immigration to the state.
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