Johnson: Democrats 'lying' about effort to restore Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants amid shutdown
On the first full day of the government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of "lying" about an effort to restore Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants, saying their counterproposal would reverse Medicaid changes in the OBBB and threaten a $50 billion rural hospital fund. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries disputed Johnson's claim, denying Democrats would restore federal benefits to undocumented immigrants.
Politics
Health
🔍 Key Facts
- Fox News (Oct 2, 2025) reports House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of lying about pushing healthcare for undocumented immigrants, including direct on‑the‑record quotes.
- Johnson said Democrats' counterproposal would reverse the Medicaid changes in the OBBB and threaten a $50 billion rural hospital fund.
- The dispute is framed by the article as occurring on the first full day of the government shutdown.
- The Fox News story includes a direct rebuttal quote from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denying Democrats would restore federal benefits to undocumented immigrants.
- The coverage presents the disagreement as part of broader shutdown negotiations over funding and benefits.
📍 Contextual Background
- Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.
- A continuing resolution (CR) is a temporary funding measure used by the U.S. Congress to keep federal agencies operating while House and Senate negotiators complete annual appropriations for a fiscal year.
📰 Sources (2)
Johnson says Democrats lying about illegal immigrant healthcare push
New information:
- Direct, on‑the‑record quotes from House Speaker Mike Johnson accusing Democrats of lying about pushing healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
- Johnson explicitly says Democrats' counterproposal would reverse the Medicaid changes in the OBBB and threaten a $50 billion rural hospital fund.
- Article frames the dispute as occurring on the first full day of the government shutdown and includes a direct rebuttal quote from Hakeem Jeffries denying Democrats would restore federal benefits to undocumented immigrants.