How Congress can kick illegal immigrants off Medicaid — and save us billions

How Congress Can Address Illegal Immigration, Welfare Reform, and Taxpayer Savings

Congress has the opportunity to address three of President Trump’s key priorities with one important move: by rolling back Medicaid for illegal aliens in the upcoming reconciliation bill. This action would not only discourage illegal immigration but also reform a broken welfare program and save taxpayers billions of dollars.

Recent reports have highlighted how migrants have been taking advantage of Medicaid, a program originally designed for low-income citizens and lawful residents. However, states have allowed and even encouraged illegal immigrants to abuse the system, leading to significant costs for American taxpayers.

Under the Biden administration, the number of Medicaid recipients who couldn’t prove their citizenship or lawful immigration status has risen dramatically, creating an unfair situation where illegal aliens receive benefits at the expense of vulnerable Americans.

By mandating that applicants must demonstrate citizenship or lawful residency before receiving Medicaid coverage, Congress can save taxpayers billions of dollars over the next decade. Additionally, prohibiting administrative Medicaid spending on illegal aliens could lead to further savings for federal taxpayers.

Congress should also consider penalizing states that continue to cover illegal immigrants, potentially saving over $200 billion in federal funds over the next decade. By prioritizing American Medicaid recipients and cracking down on abuse of the system, Congress can ensure that taxpayer money is used efficiently and effectively.

It is crucial for Congress to take action on this issue to prevent further abuse of the Medicaid system and to protect the interests of American citizens. By addressing illegal immigration, welfare reform, and taxpayer savings, Congress can fulfill President Trump’s promise to put Americans first.

Hayden Dublois is data and analytics director at the Foundation for Government Accountability, where Addison Scherler is data investigator.