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SF284 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

MinnesotaCare ineligibility for undocumented noncitizens provision

Related bill: HF894

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • The bill changes who can enroll in MinnesotaCare by setting citizenship and immigration status rules. It makes undocumented noncitizens ineligible for MinnesotaCare, while allowing eligibility for certain lawfully present individuals who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. It also strengthens requirements to verify citizenship for families with U.S. citizen children.

Main Provisions

  • Eligibility rules for MinnesotaCare:
    • Eligible if you are a United States citizen or national.
    • Eligible if you are a noncitizen who is lawfully present in the United States, as defined in CFR Title 45 section 155.20.
    • Undocumented noncitizens are ineligible for MinnesotaCare.
  • Definitions and documentation:
    • An undocumented noncitizen is someone living in the United States without the approval or acquiescence of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
    • Families with children who are U.S. citizens or nationals must cooperate to provide satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality, according to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171).
  • Carve-out for some lawfully present individuals:
    • Notwithstanding other rules, certain lawfully present individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance due to immigration status may qualify for MinnesotaCare if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
    • These individuals may still be eligible for emergency medical assistance under Minnesota law (section 256B.06 subdivision 4).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Adds a formal eligibility restriction for MinnesotaCare based on citizenship status and lawfully present noncitizens, explicitly barring undocumented noncitizens.
  • Adds a requirement to collect documentary evidence of citizenship for families with U.S. citizen children.
  • Introduces a limited exception allowing some lawfully present individuals with low income (≤200% FPG) to enroll in MinnesotaCare, while they remain ineligible for regular medical assistance due to immigration status, and clarifies emergency medical assistance options.

Definitions and References (Key Terms Involved)

  • MinnesotaCare
  • undocumented noncitizen
  • lawfully present noncitizen
  • citizens or nationals of the United States
  • CFR Title 45 section 155.20
  • USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
  • Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171)
  • 200% of federal poverty guidelines (200% FPG)
  • emergency medical assistance
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 256L.04 subdivision 10
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 256B06 subdivision 4

Relevant Terms MinnesotaCare, undocumented noncitizen, lawfully present, citizens or nationals of the United States, CFR 45.15520, USCIS, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, 200% FPG, emergency medical assistance, 256B06 subdivision 4, 256L.04 subdivision 10

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
January 21, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
January 21, 2025SenateActionReferred toHealth and Human Services
January 23, 2025SenateActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Prohibition on MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented noncitizens.",
        "Definition of undocumented noncitizen referencing USCIS guidance.",
        "Citation to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 for documentary evidence requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends MinnesotaCare eligibility to limit participation to U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawfully present noncitizens; undocumented noncitizens are ineligible. It uses federal definitions and the Deficit Reduction Act for documentary evidence requirements.",
      "modified": [
        "Eligibility framework aligned with citizenship status and lawful presence, including emergency medical assistance provisions under related medical assistance statutes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 256L.04",
    "subdivision": "subd. 10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill relies on federal definitions of lawfully present noncitizens from CFR Title 45, Section 15520 to determine eligibility for MinnesotaCare.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "Code of Federal Regulations Title 45, Section 15520",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Citation to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 as the basis for documentary evidence requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171) to establish documentary evidence requirements for citizenship or nationality.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "Public Law 109-171",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Emergency medical assistance remains available under Minnesota law for certain low-income individuals, with the new eligibility framework referencing 256B.06, subd. 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Maintains emergency medical assistance eligibility under 256B.06, subd. 4 in the context of the revised MinnesotaCare eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 256B.06",
    "subdivision": "subd. 4"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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