The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) has expressed support for the Trump administration’s recent move to clarify that federal Medicaid funds cannot be used to provide managed care benefits for undocumented immigrants, except in cases of true emergencies.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance intended to address what it described as a longstanding issue, where states such as California have reportedly accessed federal funds by providing full Medicaid benefits to undocumented individuals. The FGA claims this practice has resulted in misuse of taxpayer dollars and deviation from the original intent of Medicaid.
Jonathan Ingram, Vice President of Policy and Research at the Foundation for Government Accountability, stated: “The Trump administration is right to make clear that Medicaid funds for non-citizens who aren’t eligible for full benefits must be limited to genuine emergencies—nothing more. States like California have been abusing this provision for years, siphoning off millions of dollars to bankroll welfare for illegal aliens. Voters rejected Biden’s open border, open wallet policies, and the Trump administration is now aligning federal policy to match both the law and the will of voters. This change will close a costly loophole, protect American taxpayers, and ensure that Medicaid remains focused on safeguarding resources for the truly needy Americans who rely on it.”
The FGA describes itself as a non-profit think tank working across multiple states to advance public policy aimed at expanding opportunities in America.