In a special session on Monday, the Minnesota Legislature passed an overall budget deal that excludes adults living in the U.S. illegally from a state-run health care program. Repealing a 2023 state law that had made these immigrants eligible for the MinnesotaCare program for the working poor was a key focus for Republicans in the negotiations. Democrats, who hold a slight majority in the Senate and are tied in the House, reluctantly accepted this health care compromise. It is estimated that around 17,000 residents will be impacted by this change.
Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, agreed to sign all 14 bills planned for action in the special session, finalizing a $66 billion two-year budget set to take effect on July 1. The House narrowly voted 68-65 to pass the bill to the Senate after a lengthy debate. The enrollment freeze for immigrants without legal status in the MinnesotaCare program was proposed as a cost-saving measure to address the significantly higher-than-expected costs.
Republicans argued that taxpayers should not have to fund health care for individuals residing in the country illegally, pointing to similar actions in other states. Critics of the change expressed concerns that cutting access to preventive care could lead to increased costs in the long run, as individuals may delay seeking medical help until conditions worsen.
Despite the bipartisan agreement on the budget framework weeks prior, the closely divided Legislature struggled to pass major policy initiatives before the regular session ended in May. The budget deal, while reflecting bipartisan cooperation at the state level, also highlighted the challenges of governing with a narrow majority and closely divided chambers.
All items included in the budget package.
