January 1, States Send Billions Of Medicaid Cash To Illegals

Wyatt’s Take

• Federal audit finds over $1.35 billion in Medicaid funds sent to illegals.
• California spent most, with over $1.3 billion alone.
• Taxpayers see their money diverted despite federal law and opposition.

Five states and Washington, D.C., funneled more than $1.35 billion in federal Medicaid funds to illegal immigrants, a new federal review shows.

California alone sent over $1.3 billion to illegals, dwarfing amounts spent by D.C., Illinois, Washington, Colorado, and Oregon.

Dr. Mehemet Oz posted results from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services audit, saying the spending happened just in the last few months.

He explained, “Some want to deny that illegal immigrants are receiving Medicaid. Others insist it’s illegal for Medicaid to cover illegal immigrants. And others accurately point out that hospitals can provide emergency services to illegal immigrants under the program.”

States run Medicaid with both federal and state money. While states can use their own money to cover illegals, the law strictly bans using federal funds this way.

This loophole lets federal money mix in, so taxpayers still end up paying for care for illegals.

Dr. Oz stated, “That didn’t stop Democrats from going even further by breaking federal law to give illegal immigrants federal Medicaid dollars meant for American citizens.”

He warned, “Whether willful or not, the states’ conduct highlights a terrifying reality: American taxpayers have been footing the bill for illegal immigrants’ Medicaid coverage, despite many Democrats and the media insisting otherwise.”

Medicaid’s illegal immigrant burden hits health care hard. Emergency rooms must see everyone no matter their status, thanks to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

ICE operations have helped with abuse in some ERs, but emergency room doctors are warning that kicking illegals off Medicaid could make them turn to ERs even more instead of getting routine care elsewhere.

Fixing Medicaid loopholes is important, but real reform needs to address EMTALA so American communities aren’t stuck paying the price for illegal immigration.

If you think health care should put Americans first, lend your voice and share your thoughts with your local officials.

Wyatt Matters

Middle Americans work hard and expect their tax dollars to support their own families and neighbors. When those funds are sent to people here illegally, it betrays the trust that keeps our country strong.

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