The Intersection of Immigration Policy and Healthcare: A Review

• NPG
• January 25, 2024
• NPG Commentary
• 0 Comments

Examining the Implications of Providing Free Healthcare to Undocumented Immigrants

California made headlines at the start of the new year by offering free healthcare to undocumented immigrant adults (ages 26-49). While the move portrays a picture of inclusivity and compassion for those without legal status, it also raises critical talking points concerning the sustainability and practicality of such a generous system. This change will likely lead to a severe strain on public resources, such as overburdened hospitals and clinics, longer wait times, and diminished quality of care. Additionally, an increase in free healthcare services may have a cascading effect on California’s economy, particularly if tax increases become necessary to fund the expanded coverage. There’s also a real possibility that the promise of free healthcare could act as a magnet, attracting more undocumented immigrants to the state and further exacerbating these issues.

Facts to consider:

1. 26 million Americans do not have health insurance.
2. As of 2022, more than 100 million Americans carried debt related to obtaining healthcare.

The Golden State is not alone. A KFF Health News article recently shared: “A growing number of states are opening taxpayer-funded health insurance programs to immigrants, including those living in the U.S. without authorization, even as Republicans assail President Joe Biden over a dramatic increase in illegal crossings of the southern border.” The article also noted the reasons given for the rise in state-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants, saying: “Immigrant advocates and academic experts point to two factors behind state leaders’ rising interest in providing health care to this population: The pandemic highlighted the importance of insurance coverage to control the spread of infectious diseases; and some states are focusing on people without legal status to further drive down the country’s record-low uninsured rate. States have also expanded coverage in response to pleas from hospitals, lawmakers say, to reduce the financial burden of treating uninsured patients.”

Some have voiced opposition to giving free healthcare to undocumented immigrants, for example:

“(The) California Senate Republican Caucus criticized the move in an analysis of the 2022-2023 governor’s budget. ‘Medi-Cal is already strained by serving 14.6 million Californians – more than a third of the state’s population. Adding 764,000 more individuals to the system will certainly exacerbate current provider problems.’” – ABC News

“Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow specializing in immigration issues with the conservative Heritage Foundation, said states would regret expanding coverage to immigrants lacking permanent legal residency because of the cost. Illinois, he noted, recently paused enrollment in its program over financial concerns. ‘We need to share resources with people who contribute to society and not have people take benefits for those who have not contributed, as I don’t see how the math would work in the long run,’ Hankinson said. ‘Otherwise, you create an incentive for people to come and get free stuff.’” – KFF Health News

This wave of state-level policies would not be necessary if the federal government took immediate action to secure our southern border.

Securing the southern border is a crucial responsibility of the federal government in its efforts to prevent potential threats from entering the country. It helps regulate immigration, ensuring an orderly process that respects both the rights of aspiring immigrants and the needs of the nation. And, pertinent to this discussion, effective border control helps alleviate the pressures felt by individual states to enact their own legislation to support their residents, as waves of undocumented immigrants continue to flow into California and Texas, among others. If the federal government would effectively manage immigration at the national level, states could focus on nurturing and supporting their economies without the additional burden of addressing illegal immigration-related concerns. Essentially, a more cohesive national policy on immigration and enforcement would naturally result in a more efficient division of responsibilities within each state.

Immigration policy plays a vital role in population growth in the United States because it determines the rate and manner in which people enter the country. A well-managed immigration policy ensures a balanced rate of population growth that aligns with the country’s economic capacity, infrastructural development, and resource availability. NPG advocates for measures that slow, halt, and eventually reverse population growth in the United States. NPG knows that unsustainable population growth (heavily bolstered by illegal immigration) strains resources and is a main driver of environmental degradation and socio-economic challenges nationwide. It is vital for the U.S. to amend and fortify its immigration policy, which would help every state efficiently provide for its residents and safely manage the resources within its purview.

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