LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTSCOST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FREE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM IN MINNESOTA SOARS 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 appears the news that Minnesota is handing out free health care to illegal aliens is spreading like wildfire. In times of financial crisis, our state should be prioritizing actual citizens and making sure their needs are met before we make financial welfare obligations to people who are not legal citizens. In 2023, a Democrat-led legislature and Governor Walz expanded MinnesotaCare - 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 – eligibility to illegal immigrants. 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 that number is growing by the day. With Minnesota facing a $6 billion deficit during the next budget period, the issue needs to be addressed. We do not have a revenue problem, we have a priority problem. We should always be compassionate to others, but our first priority should be to take care of the legal American citizens who are unable to take care of themselves. This could potentially be a huge sticking point as we attempt to finalize a budget in the coming weeks. LOCAL VISITORS Superintendent Jeff Sampson from the Cannon Falls school district was my guest for the governor’s State of the State address this week.  Superintendent Sampson has been very open in sharing the difficulties and struggles schools are facing with balancing their budgets and juggling all the unfunded mandates that were passed in 2023. |