FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to ‘illegal immigrants’

apnews.com ^ | October 3, 2025 | Bias, media bias, ap

[lowbridge]

President Donald Trump and other high-ranking Republicans claim Democrats forced the government shutdown fight because they want to give free health care to immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

Democrats are trying to extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable on marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, and reverse Medicaid cuts in Trump’s big bill passed this summer. But immigrants who entered the country illegally are not eligible for either program.

Here’s a closer look at the facts:

CLAIM: Democrats shut down the government because they want to give free health care to immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally.

THE FACTS: This is false. Democrats say they are pushing for the inclusion of key health care provisions in the next congressional spending package. In particular, they are seeking an extension of tax credits that millions of Americans use to buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchange and a reversal of Medicaid cuts made in the bill Trump signed into law in July. However, immigrants in the U.S. illegally are not eligible for any federal health care programs, including insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Hospitals do receive Medicaid reimbursements — which would be reduced under Trump’s bill — for emergency care that they are obligated to provide to people who meet other Medicaid eligibility requirements but do not have an eligible immigration status, according to KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization. This spending accounted for less than 1% of total Medicaid spending between fiscal years 2017 and 2023.

[stanne]

Democrats did shut down the government … for what reason?

[ComputerGuy]

Hospitals do receive Medicaid reimbursements — which would be reduced under Trump’s bill — for emergency care that they are obligated to provide to people who meet other Medicaid eligibility requirements but do not have an eligible immigration status

[Texas Eagle]

We know, we know. DemonicRATS are pure as the wind driven snow when it comes to spending taxpayers' money.

It would never cross their mind to use others people's money in some sort of shady laundering operation.

[ActresponsiblyinVA]

How much money will the Democrat demands add to the debt?

[hal ogen]

Dearest APnews...does it make you feel bad to be sociopaths who always distort and lie?

[Texas Eagle]

Yes, yes, we know. DemonicRATS epitomize fiscal responsibility.

Republicans want people to die.

[Lockbox]

Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to ‘illegal immigrants’

Of course not, because the illegals already had that health coverage!

Per NBC News, that NOT A LIBERAL SOURCE:)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer must turn around a behemoth whose budget of 200 billion English pounds ($269 billion) represents some 40% of all government spending, and whose 1.4 million employees are the world’s seventh-largest workforce.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/uks-public-health-service-crisis-threatening-institution-heart-british-rcna228773

So remember ObamaCare is just a way station on the way to socialized medicine in the USA!

[lastchance]

The headline is true. Giving health care to illegal aliens was not the only reason Democrats let the government shut down.

[ProgressingAmerica]

Where did you find the word “only” living in the headline?

I can’t find it. My CTRL+F can’t find it either.

[jmaroneps37]

Ask turncoat Marine Democrat Golden from Maine. He has admitted it.

[A strike]

Technically correct. Democrats shut down the government to give health care to illegal aliens.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

THE FACTS: This is false. Democrats say they are pushing

Immediately following "this is false" with "Democrats say". Nice.

[DIRTYSECRET]

It only matters what that rd person thinks, meaning the public. This is one time it’s in our favor. Are the rats aware of it?

[KobraKai]

Democrat apologists are arguing that funding Emergency Care in the emergency room is not ‘health care’, even though this is the primary way illegal aliens receive any medical treatment, even for the sniffles, especially for all their little brats.

[mikelets456]

The AP also ignored that illegals get healthcare by one or both reasons.

1- when they cross the border they state they’re seeking asylum. They are now granted the “right” to healthcare

2-no one is denied emergency room visits and then hospital stays including illegals.

The left always lies, period!

[Jonny7797]

the obamacare subsidies the dems are fighting for were only to be used to help during covid.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Commies wanted the Govt shut down in order to REVERSE the ENTIRE Big Beautiful Bill and make it VOID..this is not only about giving illegals free health care, its part of it, but check out everything else the dems want, they want NPR and PBS to get funded again, trans surgeries for minors, the list goes on and on, basically it would make the entire BBB completely worthless

[alstewartfan]

Why was this filthy, lying piece submitted on FR?

[God luvs America]

it seems like gobbly-gook to me and American Pravda’s way to admit that yes- illegals are receiving medicaid...