Legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years will lose Medicaid coverage beginning October 1, following provisions set in a Republican-authored budget bill enacted last year. The policy change affects individuals who meet specific residency requirements but were previously eligible for the public health insurance program. Advocates warn this shift could leave vulnerable populations without critical healthcare access, while lawmakers defend the measure as a fiscal responsibility move. The rollout marks a significant expansion of eligibility restrictions tied to immigration status.
Starting Oct. 1, many immigrants who are here legally lose their Medicaid coverage because of the Republican budget bill passed last year.
