MMA Opposes Legislation to Exclude MA Access for Undocumented Noncitizens

February 20, 2025

A House bill that would remove MinnesotaCare eligibility for Minnesotans with undocumented status was strongly opposed this week by several healthcare groups including the MMA, the Minnesota Hospital Association, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Minnesota Catholic Conference. 

The bill (HF 10 - Schultz, R – Elmdale Township) was heard in the House Health Finance Committee on February 17. 

The MMA “is committed to ensuring that all Minnesota patients, regardless of immigration status, have access to safe, timely, and high-quality health care,” the MMA said in a letter to committee members. “Minnesota’s physicians see the immense value in providing access to care for those with undocumented status through MinnesotaCare.”  

“By ensuring coverage of all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, we reduce the total number of emergency room visits, reduce rates of untreated chronic conditions, and most importantly, help ensure that Minnesota communities are healthier,” the letter went on to say. 

DFL lawmakers referenced the MMA’s opposition during the committee hearing. 

“A number of people go to emergency rooms due to the fact that many of them do not have insurance,” stated Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL – Apple Valley). “Federal law requires that if a hospital has an emergency room, they need to stabilize everyone. So, what happens is people turn to the ER for their healthcare – the highest cost of healthcare for people in the state of Minnesota. That uncompensated care stacks up and we all end up paying for every dime of that healthcare.” 

“I do know that when people can’t see a physician, hospital emergency rooms bear the burden of uncompensated care,” said Amy Gilbert, MD, who testified on behalf of Unidos MN. “When people in our community can’t get the care they need, our community is less well. It doesn’t benefit our state to scapegoat an essential workforce that is moving our state forward. In 2022 alone, Minnesotans without legal status contributed $221 million in state and local taxes, supporting the very systems HF10 now tries to strip away.”  

Proponents argued that this legislation could save up to $99 million for the state’s healthcare access fund and MinnesotaCare. An updated fiscal note on HF 10 has not been finalized and may not take emergency room, public health, or other affected costs, which multiple healthcare groups referenced, into consideration.  

The bill’s author, Rep. Schultz said, “I’ve been looking to reform this for the purposes of hard-working, blue-collar Minnesotans. At the end of the day, I think of the faces of the people who are in my community…who are just trying to get by. They are the No. 1 stakeholder in this conversation. Throughout the conversation as we’ve entered session here, I have engaged with a whole host of the folks who came to testify today.”  

In its letter, the MMA also argued that “removing access to MinnesotaCare services for people with undocumented status creates an environment of fear and stigma.” A 2023 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that those with undocumented status often experience an array of health disparities and fear that seeking coverage, healthcare, or social support services will alert immigration authorities; and they also experience facing discrimination from healthcare providers. “These groups must be encouraged – not discouraged – to seek care,” the MMA said. 

HF 10 was referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy on a party-line vote.