Fact Check: Over 1 million illegal aliens recieved Medicaid

Fact Check: "Over 1 million illegal aliens received Medicaid"

What We Know

The claim that "over 1 million illegal aliens received Medicaid" is misleading and inaccurate. According to a fact-checking blog from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, comprehensive Medicaid coverage is not available to undocumented immigrants. The assertion that 1.4 million undocumented immigrants will be removed from Medicaid stems from a misunderstanding of the types of coverage involved. The figure refers to individuals who may lose state-funded health care programs, not Medicaid itself, as these programs are separate from federally funded Medicaid.

The Truth About Medicaid Coverage for Immigrants clarifies that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for traditional Medicaid. In fact, eligibility for Medicaid requires individuals to have a "qualified" immigration status, which undocumented immigrants do not possess. This includes various legal statuses but excludes those who are undocumented. Furthermore, many legal immigrants also face restrictions, such as a five-year waiting period before they can access Medicaid.

Analysis

The claim that over 1 million illegal aliens are receiving Medicaid is based on a misinterpretation of data regarding immigrant health coverage. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the proposed House bill would lead to a loss of coverage for around 1.4 million individuals, but this number pertains to those losing state-funded health care programs, not Medicaid. The White House's assertion that these individuals are on Medicaid is incorrect, as Medicaid does not cover undocumented immigrants.

Additionally, the Kaiser Family Foundation confirms that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This reinforces the argument that the claim is based on a misunderstanding of who qualifies for Medicaid.

The sources used to support the claim, such as articles from NPR and financial estimates from the CBO, have been misrepresented. The Truth or Fake article that supports the claim does not accurately reflect the eligibility criteria for Medicaid and fails to distinguish between state-funded programs and Medicaid itself.

Moreover, the reliability of the sources that propagate the claim is questionable, as they often lack a nuanced understanding of Medicaid eligibility and the legal status of immigrants. The CMS has also indicated that there is increased oversight to prevent states from misusing federal Medicaid funds, further underscoring the ineligibility of undocumented immigrants for Medicaid.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "over 1 million illegal aliens received Medicaid" is false. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid, and the figures cited refer to individuals losing state-funded health care programs, not Medicaid coverage. The misunderstanding of Medicaid eligibility and the conflation of state and federal funding sources contribute to the inaccuracy of this claim.

Sources

1. Factchecking The White House “Mythbuster” on Medicaid Cuts ...
2. The Truth About Medicaid Coverage for Immigrants
3. CMS Increasing Oversight on States Illegally Using Federal ...
4. 5 Key Facts About Immigrants and Medicaid
5. Fact Check: Over 1 million illegal aliens received Medicaid
6. Tracking the Medicaid Provisions in the 2025 ...
7. Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Ends Medicaid Funding for ...
8. Medicaid cuts for immigrants in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'