News > Immigration In Minnesota
Action Alert: Expand MinnesotaCare for Immigrants
Posted on Apr 28 2023
Everyone needs affordable, quality, healthcare. But too many Minnesotans have no option except high-deductible healthcare plans that are too expensive to use, and current state law excludes undocumented immigrants from qualifying for any state health insurance program.
Call your Minnesota legislators. Tell them that you want them to support the MinnesotaCare expansion that includes immigrants without status in the Omnibus Health bill (SF2995/HF2930).
New Americans face multiple obstacles to obtaining needed healthcare. Lack of insurance coverage is a key factor. Undocumented immigrants have an uninsured rate of 45% compared to 23% of documented immigrants and nine percent of U.S. citizens.
Many New Americans work in critical, but low-wage jobs, resulting in food and housing insecurity that further worsen health outcomes. Many New Americans avoid using public and private health care even when they are entitled to it for fear that it could impact their present or future immigration status.
MinnesotaCare is a well-established healthcare coverage program. As of July 2022, MinnesotaCare enabled 107,973 individuals without employer-sponsored health insurance or Medical Assistance to access healthcare. With this proposed expansion, our state can clearly show how much it values New Americans. Nine states have extended state healthcare coverage to all income-eligible children, and others have initiated programs that offer healthcare coverage to undocumented adults in low-income households. Minnesota should reinforce its status as a leader in welcoming and integrating New Americans.
Call your Minnesota legislators. Tell them that you want them to support the MinnesotaCare expansion that includes immigrants without status in the Omnibus Health bill (SF2995/HF2930).