Fact Check: "Seven states, including California and Illinois, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll in their state’s Medicaid program with full benefits."
What We Know
The claim that "seven states, including California and Illinois, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll in their state’s Medicaid program with full benefits" is partially accurate. Several states have implemented programs that provide health benefits to undocumented immigrants, but the specifics vary by state.
In California, for example, the state has expanded its Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) to include undocumented children and young adults under the age of 26, as well as seniors aged 65 and older, allowing them to receive full benefits (source-4). Illinois has a similar program, known as the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA), which provides coverage for undocumented immigrants aged 42 to 64. However, this program is set to end on July 1, 2025, due to budget constraints (source-1).
Other states, such as New York and New Jersey, have also expanded Medicaid eligibility to include certain undocumented immigrants, but the coverage is often limited to specific age groups or circumstances (source-6).
Analysis
The claim is supported by evidence that multiple states have programs allowing undocumented immigrants to access Medicaid or similar state-funded health benefits. However, the extent of coverage and the specific eligibility criteria differ significantly across states. For instance, while California and Illinois provide full benefits to certain age groups, other states may have more restrictive policies or may not cover all undocumented immigrants.
The reliability of the sources varies. The information from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is official and provides clear details about the HBIA program and its impending termination (source-1). In contrast, the article from Bloomberg Law discusses broader trends in state policies and budgetary pressures, which adds context but may not provide exhaustive details about each state's program (source-6).
The claim's assertion that seven states allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in Medicaid with full benefits is corroborated, but it is essential to note that not all undocumented immigrants are covered equally, and many states have limitations on the benefits provided.
Conclusion
The verdict is Partially True. While it is accurate that several states, including California and Illinois, have programs that allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in Medicaid or similar state-funded health benefits, the coverage is not uniform across all states, and eligibility often depends on specific criteria such as age or health status. Additionally, some programs are facing budget cuts that may limit or eliminate coverage in the near future.
