Health care for illegals: Democrats say it's compassionate, Republicans say it's too expensive

The debate over government-funded healthcare for immigrants without legal status is at the root of the government shutdown debate. Democrats support providing free healthcare for illegal immigrants for compassionate reasons. Republicans are against it saying it is too expensive for taxpayers and will bankrupt hospitals.

Healthcare costs in Connecticut have risen significantly, outpacing economic growth and household incomes. In recent years, CT has expanded healthcare coverage for all income eligible residents, regardless of immigration status. In 2021, coverage was authorized for expectant and postpartum mothers and children up to 8 years in age. In 2022, the age was expanded to 12 years and in 2024 further expanded to 15 years and in some cases includes 19 year olds.

According to this CT Insider story, about 15,000 children and 3,000 postpartum mothers who are not U.S. citizens are receiving coverage. These enrollment numbers were twice what the state had projected and, according to this report, is costing the state over $100 million. Furthermore, the costs of providing uncompensated hospital care are being shifted onto the private insurance policies of CT citizens.

CT Governor Lamont (D) said, "They're going to get health coverage. You're not going to allow kids, even if they're undocumented, to be sick on the streets. Either that or hospitals do it with uncompensated care. We help out under our current program, and we'll take a look at it if the Trump administration says otherwise."

President Trump made the case for common sense using meme humor here.

Between the Lines: Healthcare for all is becoming a very expensive promise by the CT Governor and may be encouraging even more illegal immigrants to come into the state.

Story here