Minnesota taxpayers are footing a healthcare bill for illegal immigrants that’s ballooned to THREE TIMES the original projections while their own citizens struggle to afford basic care.
Minnesota’s noble experiment in providing free healthcare to illegal immigrants has morphed into a budget-busting fiasco. What was initially projected to cost $220 million over four years with about 5,800 enrollees has exploded to over 20,000 participants with estimated costs exceeding $600 million. Republicans are pushing to end the program by December 21, while Democrats vow to “fight until the very end” to maintain benefits for non-citizens. Meanwhile, nursing homes and programs for disabled Minnesotans face potential cuts as the state grapples with this unexpected financial burden.
Minnesota’s Healthcare Budget Blown Apart by Illegal Immigrant Enrollment Surge
When Minnesota Democrats decided to extend the state’s MinnesotaCare program to illegal immigrants in 2023, they assured taxpayers it would be manageable. Fast forward to today, and enrollment has skyrocketed to more than three times the original projections. Instead of the anticipated 5,700 enrollees, over 20,000 illegal immigrants have signed up for free healthcare on Minnesota taxpayers’ dime. This isn’t just a small miscalculation; it’s a fiscal catastrophe that’s blown past initial budget estimates by nearly 30 percent.
Republican Senator Jordan Rasmusson from Fergus Falls didn’t mince words about this predictable outcome: “We should not be surprised by this dramatic increase because this program creates an incentive for illegal immigrants to come here to Minnesota.” Well, no kidding! When you hang out a sign offering free healthcare to anyone who crosses the border illegally and makes it to Minnesota, what exactly did these geniuses think would happen? That people would say, “No thanks, I’d rather pay for my own healthcare”?
“Free” Healthcare That’s Costing Minnesotans a Fortune
The financial reality is staggering. As of April 2025, Minnesota has already spent $3.9 million on health care claims for just 4,306 undocumented enrollees, which projects to $12.5 million annually – and that’s just for a fraction of those enrolled. The total program cost is now expected to exceed $100 million annually, funds that could be supporting American citizens who’ve played by the rules their entire lives. House Republicans have introduced bill HF 10 to exclude undocumented immigrants from the program, potentially saving the state those millions.
“This is the closest thing that you will ever see to treason, where taxpayer dollars are going to fund people who are here illegally,” said Rep. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmwood Township.
Treason might be a strong word, but the sentiment is spot on. While Minnesota citizens struggle with rising healthcare costs, inflation, and economic uncertainty, their tax dollars are being funneled to provide premium healthcare for individuals who bypassed our immigration laws entirely. And naturally, the Democrats responsible for this boondoggle refuse to acknowledge their colossal miscalculation.
Democrats Double Down Despite Disastrous Results
Instead of admitting their mistake and backing away from this fiscal cliff, Minnesota Democrats are doubling down. State Senator Alice Mann had the audacity to claim that opponents of the program “do not care about the wellbeing of people” and even suggested they’re racists. That’s right – if you don’t support unlimited free healthcare for illegal immigrants while your own citizens struggle, you’re now branded as both heartless and racist. It’s the same tired playbook that Democrats roll out whenever their policies crash into the brick wall of reality.
“What we did two years ago is make sure we add them to our health insurance coverage because we see a need for that. These folks contribute to our economy, they contribute to our society, they are taxpayers.” – Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis
Senator Mohamed’s claim that illegal immigrants are “taxpayers” conveniently ignores the overall fiscal impact of illegal immigration. While some may pay certain taxes, studies consistently show they consume far more in government services than they contribute. And let’s not forget that many work off the books specifically to avoid taxation, receive benefits under stolen identities, or use ITINs that don’t fully capture their economic activity. But why let facts get in the way of a good virtue signal?
The Domino Effect: Other States Facing Similar Crises
Minnesota isn’t the only state where progressive healthcare policies for illegal immigrants are imploding. Illinois and California are also reconsidering their programs as costs spiral out of control. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom – hardly a conservative – is walking back the state’s commitment to provide free healthcare to low-income undocumented immigrants because the math simply doesn’t work. When even deep-blue California is hitting the brakes on these initiatives, you know the situation has become dire.
Rep. Isaac Schultz put it perfectly: “Let’s prioritize Minnesotans first, and let’s ensure that our budget is balanced here in Minnesota and that our priorities are with Minnesotans first.”
What a revolutionary concept – a state government that puts its own citizens first! In the upside-down world of progressive politics, suggesting that American tax dollars should primarily benefit Americans is now considered extreme or even hateful. But as this Minnesota healthcare fiasco demonstrates, reality always wins in the end. The only question is how much damage will be done before Democrats finally admit their policies have failed both citizens and immigrants alike.
