Stop Blaming Immigrants for America’s Health Care Crisis

Dark blue poster with a medical cross icon above the headline “Protect Our Health Care.” Below it: “Stop the scapegoating — extend ACA subsidies.” A line separates the call to action: “Find your reps: house.gov • senate.gov.”

Dark blue poster with a medical cross icon above the headline ‘Protect Our Health Care.’ Below it: ‘Stop the scapegoating — extend ACA subsidies.’ A line separates the call to action: ‘Find your reps: house.gov • senate.gov.’

This is about protecting Americans’ coverage—not scapegoating immigrants. Here’s why the shutdown fight matters, especially in Michigan.

  1. Why I’m Fired Up
  2. What Trump Claimed
  3. What the Law Actually Says
  4. What This Shutdown Is Really About
  5. Why This Matters in Michigan
  6. Where I Stand on Shutdowns
  7. The Game He’s Playing
  8. Receipts
  9. Bottom Line
  10. Take Action

Why I’m Fired Up

This morning I was scrolling Facebook and saw a post from Brian Tyler Cohen. I don’t usually click on Trump clips because it’s the same recycled nonsense on loop, but I decided to hear him out. In the clip, he’s pressed by a reporter about his shutdown messaging and pivots to immigrants.

What Trump Claimed

On camera, he tells a CBS reporter, I have a bigger heart than you do. Then he pushes the line that Democrats want to give health care to undocumented immigrants—framing them as the reason Americans are struggling. That framing is not just misleading; it’s backwards.

For the record, he’s said Democrats “want to give [undocumented immigrants] full health care benefits.” That is not what the policy fight is about.

What the Law Actually Says

  • Undocumented immigrants are excluded from Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and ACA Marketplace plans. The narrow exception is emergency Medicaid when someone otherwise meets income rules. See nonpartisan explainers from KFF and the Congressional Research Service.
  • Lawfully present immigrants can qualify for Medicaid/CHIP only under specific conditions; many face a five-year waiting period. Again: see KFF and CRS.
  • DACA recipients were finally allowed to buy ACA Marketplace coverage (with subsidies if eligible) starting November 1, 2024. That’s basic access to buy insurance—not a special giveaway. See the federal CMS rule.
  • States can use their own dollars to cover certain groups regardless of status. That’s a state choice, not a blanket federal benefit.

What This Shutdown Is Really About

This shutdown is about whether Congress extends ACA premium subsidies and protects health coverage for Americans—or punts while costs rise. Democrats are conditioning a funding bill on renewing those subsidies; Republicans (and the White House) say reopen first and talk later. That’s the core standoff. It’s not a secret plot to hand out benefits to undocumented immigrants.

Why This Matters in Michigan

Here at home, the Healthy Michigan Plan—our Medicaid expansion—covers more than 700,000 people. Hospitals in northern Michigan, including Munson, have warned that federal cuts or letting ACA help lapse would hit patients and providers hard. Healthy Michigan covers 700,000+ people statewide; cutting support risks real care in places like northern Michigan.
(MDHHS: 700k+ on Healthy Michigan ·
Munson statement)

Where I Stand on Shutdowns

A lot of people are tired of shutdowns. Same. And like my fiancé, Josh, I’m usually against them on principle. I don’t relish the chaos or the harm they cause to federal workers and to the public.

But this isn’t a game of political points. People can literally die if they lose coverage. If the only leverage to keep families insured is holding the line on these subsidies, then I support Democrats using it. I wish it weren’t necessary, but protecting health care is a life-or-death obligation, not a talking point.

The Game He’s Playing

Labeling anyone who needs help as an “immigrant” is a way to erase struggling Americans and keep people angry at the wrong target. It’s scapegoating—and yes, it carries an ugly, anti-immigrant edge. It divides neighbors so leaders don’t have to own the harm their policies cause.

Receipts

  • The quote: I have a bigger heart than you do. Reported after his exchange with CBS’s Weijia Jiang. (Mediaite)
  • The claim: He’s said Democrats “want to give [undocumented immigrants] full health care benefits.” Reported and debunked. (ABC News)
  • The facts: Federal law largely excludes undocumented immigrants from coverage; emergency Medicaid is the narrow exception. (KFF · CRS)
  • DACA access: Lawfully present DACA recipients have been eligible for Marketplace plans since Nov. 1, 2024. (CMS)
  • The fight in Congress: The shutdown standoff centers on extending ACA subsidies vs. reopening government first. (Politico · AP · CBS News)

Bottom Line

Even if—hypothetically—immigrants were getting more care (they aren’t), that still wouldn’t explain why Americans are losing theirs. That’s on policy choices. If your heart is bigger than ours, prove it: extend coverage and stop using immigrants as a smokescreen.

Take Action

If you’re worried about losing your health care—or about your neighbors losing theirs—tell your representatives. Short, polite messages count.

Find your House member: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Reach your Senators: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

I’m a constituent. Please protect affordable coverage by extending ACA premium subsidies and rejecting any deal that cuts people off care. This is life-or-death for families in our state.

Vicki Andrada's avatar

By Vicki Andrada

A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months. In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did. I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs. Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy. I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health. I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around. I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems. Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling. Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.

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