Topline
Republicans are doubling down on their deceptive claims that Democrats need to pay without spending a dime well being care for undocumented folks as a provision of their phrases for ending the shutdown—with Elon Musk and different right-wing voices sharing a video of a NCS host grilling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in regards to the political dangers of their calls for.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks throughout a press convention with House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-CT) and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) as the federal government shutdown continues in Washington, DC on October 1, 2025. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu through Getty Images)
Anadolu through Getty Images
Key Facts
In the clip of Jeffries’ look on NCS on Wednesday, host Jake Tapper factors out that one among Democrats’ calls for would roll again cuts in President Donald Trump’s signature coverage invoice to emergency Medicaid funding hospitals can use to pay for folks with out medical insurance, together with undocumented migrants who would qualify for Medicaid if not for his or her immigration standing.
The emergency Medicaid funding for hospitals is out there in 40 states, plus Washington, D.C.
Democrats additionally need to repeal new stricter Medicaid eligibility necessities included within the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act that might block some non-citizens within the U.S. legally, equivalent to some asylum seekers and other people with momentary protected standing, from accessing Medicaid.
“Why even include that in a bill knowing that they’re gonna seize right upon that?” Tapper requested Jeffries, who referred to as Republicans’ claims that Democrats need to pay for medical insurance for undocumented migrants “a lie.”
Jeffries didn’t immediately reply Tapper’s query, however stated “what we’re doing is fighting to protect the health care of the American people against the largest cut to Medicaid ever,” noting an estimated 14 million extra folks within the U.S. could be uninsured by 2034 because of Trump’s signature coverage invoice, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation nonprofit.
Contra
Republicans’ claims that Democrats need to give undocumented migrants free well being care are deceptive. Only non-citizens who’re within the U.S. legally, equivalent to those that have momentary protected standing and asylum seekers, are eligible for Medicaid or to buy insurance coverage by way of the Affordable Care Act. Undocumented migrants are ineligible, in response to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act handed in 1996. Democrats’ calls for that might influence undocumented migrants additionally symbolize a small fraction of federal well being care spending. Medicaid reimbursements hospitals used to pay for emergency well being care for undocumented folks represented lower than 1% of general Medicaid spending between fiscal years 2017 and 2023, in response to KFF.
Key Background
The authorities shut down Wednesday at midnight when fiscal 12 months 2025 ended and the finances expired and lawmakers failed to come back to an settlement on a brand new authorities funding plan. Republicans wished to move an extension of the present finances, referred to as a “continuing resolution,” to stay in impact by way of Nov. 21, however they want a minimum of seven Democrats to vote alongside all Republicans with a purpose to meet the 60-vote threshold to interrupt the filibuster within the Senate. All however three Democrats voted in opposition to the decision, with management insisting the occasion’s assist is contingent on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credit and rolling again the Medicaid eligibility restrictions. Republicans have blamed Democrats for the shutdown and the White House has threatened to chop funding for packages and insurance policies they assist as obvious punishment for refusing to approve the GOP plan.
Further Reading
Government Shutdown Begins: White House Guts Funding For Democratic-Favored Projects (Forbes)
Democrats Could Benefit From A Government Shutdown—Here’s Why (Forbes)