Senate bill would open Medicaid, Medicare and ACA plans to more immigrants

What does this do?

S 2149 would eliminate the five-year waiting period green card holders must currently serve before qualifying for Medicaid or CHIP, and would require states to cover lawfully present immigrants in those programs. It would allow undocumented immigrants to purchase ACA marketplace plans and receive financial assistance, and would extend Medicare eligibility to lawfully present immigrants who currently do not qualify. States could also choose to cover undocumented immigrants in Medicaid and CHIP on the same terms as U.S. citizens, with the federal government sharing those costs.

Who does it affect?

The bill directly affects green card holders in waiting periods, people with temporary or deferred immigration status including DACA recipients, and undocumented individuals currently without coverage. State governments, taxpayers, and health care providers who treat uninsured immigrant patients would also be affected.

Why does it matter?

States would face new mandatory coverage requirements for lawfully present immigrants and new optional coverage decisions for undocumented immigrants. Health care providers who currently treat uninsured immigrant patients could see changes in how that care is reimbursed, and taxpayers would fund the expanded federal spending.

What does it cost, and who pays?

Taxpayers would fund the increased federal spending under the bill. If states choose to extend Medicaid and CHIP to undocumented immigrants, the federal government would share in those costs.

Where does it stand?