New rules end Medicaid coverage for some immigrants

Hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers, refugees and other lawfully present immigrants across the U.S. are expected to lose their federally funded health coverage this week as new eligibility requirements kick in.

In Connecticut, about 3,200 nonpregnant adults will lose coverage starting Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the state Department of Social Services.

The changes stem from the 2025 reconciliation bill, which included major tax cuts and reductions in federal spending. The law also restructured programs, including Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP.

Many of the law's provisions have been implemented over the past year, with more on the horizon, including new federal work requirements for some Medicaid recipients.

Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for federal health coverage, but immigrants with certain legal statuses have long been able to access these programs.

Several states, including Connecticut, have gradually expanded state-funded health coverage for people who meet program requirements but are ineligible for federally funded coverage because of their immigration status. KFF Health News estimates that eligible immigrants make up about 6% of Medicaid enrollees nationwide.

Starting Oct. 1, refugees, asylees, trafficking victims and humanitarian parolees will no longer be eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, under the new requirements. The changes come amid increased federal immigration enforcement and changes to other safety-net programs.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated in 2025 that the number of uninsured noncitizens nationwide will increase by 900,000 in 2034 as a result of the law. Insurance coverage loss can also ripple out to the wider community by increasing uncompensated care costs for hospitals and putting more pressure on private insurance premiums, according to Time.

Lawful permanent residents who have lived in the United States for at least five years, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, and people covered under the Compacts of Free Association are not affected by the changes. State officials said lawfully present children and pregnant women covered by HUSKY A and HUSKY B will also retain coverage.

Some noncitizens with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for advance premium tax credits through Dec. 31, state officials said. New marketplace eligibility requirements are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The Congressional Budget Office also expects the provision to increase the number of uninsured noncitizens with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level by 300,000 by 2034.

Some noncitizens may still qualify for state-funded health programs, state officials said. Uninsured children ages 0 to 15 with household incomes up to 323% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for coverage. Pregnant people who do not qualify for Medicaid or CHIP because of their immigration status may qualify for prenatal and up to a year of postpartum coverage through HUSKY B.

"Connecticut has proactively designed these programs to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents -- children, pregnant and postpartum individuals -- regardless of immigration status have access to coverage as these programs existed before this transition," according to the DSS statement.

Hospitals will also continue to provide emergency Medicaid coverage to all patients regardless of immigration status, as required under federal and state law. Local organizations like Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants and Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services can also help connect people with health services, legal support and other resources.

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