Trump’s HHS Orders State Medicaid Programs to Identify Undocumented Immigrants
The Trump administration directed state Medicaid programs to investigate certain enrolled individuals to verify their immigration status. Colorado and four other states have collectively received over 170,000 names for review. Experts call this move an “unprecedented” federal step entwining the Medicaid program in the president’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Impact on States and Medicaid Recipients
Advocates warn this directive increases the burden on states by requiring repeated verification checks. It may also result in Medicaid recipients losing coverage due to missed paperwork deadlines rather than actual ineligibility.
Official Statement from CMS
Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, stated on X (formerly Twitter) on October 31: “More than $1 billion of federal taxpayer dollars were being spent on funding Medicaid for illegal immigrants” in five states and Washington, D.C.
Medicaid spending overall exceeded $900 billion in fiscal year 2024. However, it remains unclear from Oz’s message and accompanying video over which exact period this $1 billion spending occurred. CMS spokespersons did not immediately answer questions before or after Oz's announcement.
Key Facts
- States involved: Colorado plus four others
- Names received for immigration status review: over 170,000
- Medicaid total spending FY2024: over $900 billion
- Claimed Medicaid spending on undocumented immigrants in specified states: more than $1 billion
This federal order illustrates the growing intersection between health programs and immigration policy, increasing administrative challenges for states.
Would you like this HTML structured for easy integration into a news site or a blog format?