White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly rebutted a reporter’s claim on Friday that illegal immigrants are not receiving taxpayer-funded healthcare, turning the tables during a tense exchange over federal spending priorities and the ongoing government funding stalemate.
The confrontation came amid renewed partisan clashes over the government shutdown, which Democrats have attributed to disputes over extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. Republicans, however, argue that Democrats’ true aim is to expand Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants — a claim Leavitt forcefully reiterated during the press briefing.
“Are you denying that Medicaid money has never gone to illegal aliens in the United States of America?” Leavitt asked pointedly. “The Democrats inserted a provision to undo a section in the working families tax cut — the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ — that ended taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for illegal aliens.”
According to Leavitt, the Democrats’ counter-proposal to the Republicans’ continuing resolution would require Medicaid to “pay more to provide care for illegal aliens than Medicaid does for American patients who are disabled, elderly, or children.” She also accused Democrats of attempting to preserve what she described as a “gimmick” in California that allows state Medicaid funds to cover programs benefiting undocumented immigrants.
Leavitt said Medicaid spending on illegal immigrants has surged under the Biden administration — nearly tripling in recent years as illegal border crossings hit record levels. “It is an undisputed fact that under the Biden administration, illegal aliens were absolutely receiving taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits,” she said.
Citing government data, she continued, “In fiscal year 2024, Medicaid costs for emergency services for illegal immigrants skyrocketed by 142 percent from the previous year, reaching $9.1 billion. Between President Trump’s last full fiscal year and President Biden’s last, Medicaid spending on emergency services for illegal immigrants nearly tripled — a 196 percent increase between 2020 and 2024.”
Healthcare systems across the country have felt the strain, Leavitt noted, referencing reports from medical professionals in Southern California who said facilities were being “bombarded” with illegal immigrant patients, resulting in longer wait times for U.S. citizens. In Denver, Health CEO Donna Lynne reported that 8,000 undocumented immigrants made 20,000 visits to city health centers in 2023 alone, leading to more than $10 million in unpaid medical costs.
“So when an illegal alien goes to the emergency room, who’s paying for it?” Leavitt asked rhetorically. “The American taxpayer.”
The debate centers on Democrats’ counter-proposal to repeal Title VII, Section B of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes measures designed to limit waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare — as well as Section 71109, which restricts Medicaid eligibility for non-citizens, according to Section 2141 of their proposed continuing resolution.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Leavitt’s concerns on Thursday, asserting that the Democrats’ proposal could lead to $200 billion in taxpayer spending on illegal immigrants and other non-citizens. He also claimed Democrats are attempting to roll back a Republican reform that closed a California loophole permitting taxpayer-funded Medicaid coverage for undocumented residents.
Several Democratic-led states have expanded their healthcare programs to include illegal immigrants, but those decisions have come at a steep financial cost. California spent approximately $8.5 billion on immigrant healthcare in 2024, while Illinois allocated around $800 million annually, and Minnesota also reported significant fiscal strain.
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