Colorado Republicans Demand End to Medicaid for Undocumented Immigrants

Colorado GOP Lawmakers Push to End Medicaid for Undocumented Immigrants

In a bold move, Colorado's Republican congressional delegation has called on Governor Jared Polis to halt Medicaid enrollment for undocumented immigrants under the state’s Health First Colorado program. The initiative, which began this year, allows those without legal status to access coverage if they meet other eligibility criteria. In a sharply worded letter, Representatives Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank, and Lauren Boebert argued that the policy strains resources and disadvantages American citizens who rely on Medicaid.

The lawmakers pointed to other Democratic-led states like California and Minnesota, which are scaling back similar programs due to soaring costs and public backlash. They warned that Colorado’s persistence in offering taxpayer-funded healthcare to undocumented immigrants could lead to fiscal trouble, especially with looming federal changes. A proposed reconciliation bill could slash federal Medicaid funding for states that maintain such policies, dropping the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage from 90% to 80%. This, they argue, would burden Colorado’s budget and taxpayers.

Health First Colorado’s website proudly declares, "Don’t let immigration status stop you from applying for health coverage." But the Republicans see this as a misstep, prioritizing non-citizens over Americans in need. Meanwhile, Polis’ office fired back, accusing the lawmakers of supporting a broader gutting of Medicaid that could strip coverage from nearly 400,000 Coloradans and raise insurance costs for all. The Governor’s team urged the Senate to overhaul the House’s reconciliation bill to protect Medicaid and maintain affordable healthcare options.

As states like California grapple with budget constraints—some even proposing enrollment freezes—Colorado finds itself at a crossroads. The debate underscores a deeper tension: balancing humanitarian ideals with fiscal realities in a politically charged landscape.