Overview

• House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Buddy Carter point to Section 2141 of Democrats’ continuing resolution as evidence the proposal would expand federal health benefits to migrants without legal status.
• Jeffries said on NBC’s Meet the Press that federal law blocks such spending and asserted that no Democrat is trying to change that statute.
• Policy analysis notes Medicaid can reimburse hospitals for emergency services provided to undocumented patients, which accounted for less than 1% of total Medicaid spending in fiscal 2023, according to KFF.
• The clash unfolds during the ongoing shutdown as Republicans push a funding bill through Nov. 21 while Democrats propose a shorter plan through October with a permanent extension of ACA subsidies and restoration of nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts.
• On CNN, Rep. Debbie Dingell referenced EMTALA’s requirement that hospitals provide emergency care regardless of patients’ ability to pay or legal status.