Staff Reports
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leading a coalition of 16 states in a legal battle against the Biden administration’s latest maneuver to extend taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits to those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This move, deemed unlawful by the plaintiffs, seeks to broaden the definition of “lawfully present” to include these recipients, effectively allowing illegal immigrants to access benefits intended for U.S. citizens and lawful residents.
The crux of the lawsuit rests on the assertion that DACA recipients do not meet the legal definitions set forth in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Originally, the ACA was designed to provide healthcare coverage strictly to U.S. citizens and those already recognized as lawfully present in the country. By classifying DACA recipients as being “lawfully present,” the Biden administration is attempting to rewrite the rules at the expense of the American taxpayer.
Because who doesn't want to make sure illegal migrants have free health care?! https://t.co/jZpouI1XzT
— Vicki McKenna (@VickiMcKenna) August 16, 2024
Financially, this expansion is projected to fall heavily on the shoulders of states like Missouri, which could see annual costs ballooning by hundreds of millions of dollars. With Missouri alone staring down the barrel of an estimated $342 million to $462 million in additional healthcare expenses, the burden this decision places on state resources is staggering. As states grapple with tight budgets, the idea of funneling tax dollars to cover the healthcare costs of illegal immigrants is nothing short of fiscal insanity.
Bailey has not held back in his criticism of the current administration, accusing it of exacerbating the financial strain already felt by states dealing with the fallout from illegal immigration and asylum seekers. He argues that American families are working hard to make ends meet, and their hard-earned paychecks should not be used to fund healthcare for individuals who are in the country illegally. This sentiment resonates with many Americans who are increasingly frustrated by government overreach that prioritizes those who have crossed the border unlawfully over hardworking citizens.
The implications of the Biden administration’s healthcare expansion are clear. This is an affront to those states that are already struggling with the myriad challenges posed by increased immigration. The decision to classify illegal immigrants as eligible for benefits is a bold move that risks further complicating an already dire situation at the border. It is hoped that this lawsuit will restore some sanity and prioritize the needs of American taxpayers over political agendas that encourage illegal immigration.
