Fact Check: "Can illegals get Medicare or Kade?"
What We Know
The claim that undocumented immigrants can access Medicare or Medicaid (often referred to as "Kade") is nuanced. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), federal Medicaid funding is primarily available only for emergency medical services for noncitizens who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid. This means that while undocumented immigrants cannot access full Medicaid benefits, they may receive emergency services under certain conditions.
Furthermore, the CMS has recently increased oversight to prevent states from misusing federal Medicaid funds to cover healthcare for individuals who are in the country illegally. This action is part of a broader effort to ensure that Medicaid funds are allocated only to those legally entitled to benefits, reinforcing that "Medicaid is not, and cannot be, a backdoor pathway to subsidize open borders" according to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz (source-1).
Additionally, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families states that undocumented immigrants are generally not eligible for traditional Medicaid or Medicare. They can only receive emergency services, which aligns with federal law. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services also confirms that noncitizens who meet all other Medicaid eligibility criteria except for immigration status may still qualify for emergency services.
Analysis
The claim that undocumented immigrants can access Medicare or Medicaid is misleading. While there are provisions for emergency medical services, the broader eligibility for these programs is restricted. The CMS's recent actions indicate a tightening of regulations to ensure that taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits are not extended to those who do not meet legal residency requirements (source-1).
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives aims to further limit access to taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants, reinforcing the narrative that such access is being curtailed. However, it is essential to note that the bill's claims about the Biden administration's policies regarding immigration and healthcare eligibility are politically charged and may reflect a particular partisan viewpoint.
The reliability of the sources varies. The CMS is a federal agency and provides authoritative information regarding healthcare regulations. In contrast, the claims made in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill come from a politically motivated context and should be interpreted with caution. The Kaiser Family Foundation and other independent research organizations provide additional context but may also have their biases depending on the political landscape.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "illegals can get Medicare or Kade" is True, but it requires clarification. Undocumented immigrants cannot access full Medicare or Medicaid benefits; they are only eligible for emergency services under specific conditions. The regulatory landscape is tightening, and recent legislative efforts aim to further restrict access to taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented individuals.
Sources
- CMS Increasing Oversight on States Illegally Using Federal Medicaid Funding for Health Care for Illegal Immigrants
- The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Ends Taxpayer-Funded Health Benefits for Illegal Immigrants
- The Truth About Medicaid Coverage for Immigrants
- Health Coverage for Noncitizens | CoverVA
- Potential Impacts of 2025 Budget Reconciliation on Health Coverage for Immigrant Families
- 5 Key Facts About Immigrants and Medicaid
- How the 2025 House Budget Bill Affects Medicare: Eligibility, Paygo, and Immigrant Coverage
- “Big Beautiful Bill” Would Strip Medicare from Some Who Have Paid In for Decades
