No Medicaid for Illegals Act

This bill limits when federal dollars can pay for Medicaid and CHIP. It says the federal government will not pay for care for anyone whose citizenship or immigration status is not verified. If a state gives someone a short “reasonable opportunity” to submit proof, the federal government won’t pay for that care unless the person’s status is verified by the end of that period. The same rule applies to children’s coverage under CHIP.

States would no longer be required to cover people during that waiting period; it becomes optional. A state may choose to keep offering temporary coverage while paperwork is checked, but federal funds still won’t apply unless verification is completed. These changes for Medicaid also carry over to CHIP. The bill takes effect on the date it becomes law.

• Who is affected: People applying for Medicaid or CHIP who need to prove citizenship or immigration status, and state Medicaid/CHIP programs.
• What changes: No federal funds for care unless status is verified; states are not required to cover people during the paperwork period but may choose to do so; CHIP follows the same rules .
• When: Starts on the date of enactment.