US Medicaid eligibility changes for immigrants

Approximately 8,000 lawfully present immigrants in Pennsylvania face the loss of federal Medicaid health insurance beginning October 1. This change follows new federal rules established by the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, legislation signed by President Donald Trump designed to reduce spending by more than $900 billion through 2034.

While green card holders remain unaffected, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that changes to Medicaid eligibility for noncitizen adults could leave approximately 100,000 more immigrants uninsured by 2034. Those losing eligibility include refugees, asylees, victims of sex trafficking, and individuals who assisted U.S. service members in Afghanistan.

On a national scale, more than 281,000 immigrants across nine states and the District of Columbia are identified as being at risk of losing Medicaid this month, including nearly 177,000 in Florida.

Advocates and legal aid experts have warned that these eligibility changes could significantly impact vulnerable populations. In response to the impending coverage cuts, healthcare workers and patients organized an ‘S.O.S. for Health Rally’ at Philadelphia City Hall to condemn the policy’s impact on the community.