See the chart showing the surge
Today, Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) and Representative Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township), along with Representative Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) and Senator Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids), held a press conference to voice serious concerns over a dramatic surge in enrollment by undocumented immigrants in Minnesota’s taxpayer-funded health care programs. This spike follows the implementation of new Democrat-backed policies that took effect in January.
Sen. Rasmusson and Rep. Schultz, the chief authors of SF 690 and HF 10—legislation that would repeal eligibility for undocumented immigrants to receive these benefits—warned of the growing fiscal and ethical implications of the policy shift.
“In just three months, the enrollment for taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants is nearly triple what Democrats said it would be in its initial year,” said Sen. Rasmusson. “This is an astounding surge that validates my concern that this change would incentivize illegal immigrants to come to Minnesota. We cannot justify cutting care for seniors and those with disabilities while expanding, exponentially, a costly benefit to individuals who are not here legally.”
“Minnesotans are watching their loved ones lose care while Democrats hand out free health care to illegal immigrants,” said Rep. Schultz. “We need to put Minnesotans first.”
Initial projections from the Department of Minnesota Management and Budget anticipated 5,784 enrollees by fiscal year 2026, growing to 7,741 by 2029, at a cost of approximately $220 million over that period. However, in just the first three months of the new policy, 17,396 undocumented individuals have already applied for coverage through MinnesotaCare—potentially tripling the projected cost to more than $600 million.
Unlike other health care programs that receive federal matching funds—such as those for nursing homes, people with disabilities, and low-income residents—Minnesota must cover 100% of the costs for this new program. That could mean the state is foregoing over $1 billion in potential funding that could otherwise support essential services.
“The Health Care Access Fund that funds this benefit also supports seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those on Medicaid and Medicare—the 1.4 million Minnesotans who rely on those safety nets,” said Rep. Backer, Co-Chair of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee. “This is the main sticking point in health finance and policy negotiations. We do not have a budget deal because Democrats want to prioritize illegal immigrants over the health care of Minnesotans.”
The current DFL proposals include increased fees and taxes on Minnesotans, while also cutting funding to critical services like nursing homes and disability support waivers, to help cover the cost of expanded benefits for undocumented individuals.
“Whether it was from those who serve our disability community or those that serve the elderly, they see that funding to those service providers are being reduced—all at the same time that we see these costs for illegal immigrants going through the roof,” said Sen. Paul Utke, Lead Republican on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. He went on to explain the additional cost increases currently in the Senate Health and Human Services bill, “The fees in the current HHS bill add $70 million in costs if it goes into law. Fees on food, lodging, and public water systems—we all pay those bills, and it’s making life harder for Minnesotans. We need to put Minnesotans first.”