Nevada taxpayers win as Trump slams the door on illegal immigrants draining Medicaid

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

This week, the Trump administration rolled out a new plan to make sure taxpayer-funded health programs like Medicaid and CHIP are used only by those who qualify under the law.

Monthly Checks on Eligibility

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Tuesday that it will now send out monthly reports to every state.

These reports will flag Medicaid and CHIP enrollees whose citizenship or immigration status cannot be confirmed through federal databases like the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE program.

In other words, if someone’s paperwork doesn’t check out, states will be required to follow up and verify. CMS says states will also have to report back on their findings.

Nevada Taxpayers Have the Most to Gain

For Nevada, this move is a big deal.

Our state has one of the fastest-growing populations, and with that growth comes increased strain on health care systems. Nevada taxpayers already foot the bill for rising Medicaid costs.

In 2022, Medicaid spending here topped $5 billion, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Making sure those dollars don’t go to people who aren’t even supposed to be in the country is common sense.

On top of that, Nevada has been hit hard by the border crisis. Federal reports have shown that migrants with criminal ties have entered the U.S. through the southern border.

While most head to larger border states like Arizona and Texas, Nevada is no stranger to the ripple effects. Clark County, in particular, has seen growing demand for social services, much of which falls on local taxpayers.

Trump’s Second Term Is All About Protecting Taxpayers

Since beginning his second term, President Trump has pushed several reforms to block illegal immigrants from accessing public benefits.

In February, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to root out any programs giving benefits to people here unlawfully. That move was backed up by a 1996 law — the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act — that already bars non-citizens from receiving these benefits.

A few weeks later, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded the list of federal programs considered “public benefits,” raising it from 31 to 44. And just last month, Republicans in Congress passed a spending package requiring states to check Medicaid eligibility at least twice a year.

Blue States Sue as Trump Defends Taxpayers

Democrats, of course, are fighting the changes. More than 20 Democratic attorneys general, led by New York’s Letitia James, have filed lawsuits trying to block the new policies.

Critics claim the policy could deny health services to people who fall through the cracks of the paperwork system. Supporters counter that compassion doesn’t mean ignoring the law or handing out taxpayer-funded benefits to people who entered the country illegally.

This Fight Is About Fairness for American Families

Nevadans struggling to afford health care should not be competing with illegal immigrants for limited resources. When the state is already facing doctor shortages and long wait times, every dollar counts.

The Trump administration’s new plan sends a clear message: if you’re here illegally, you don’t get taxpayer-funded health benefits.

That’s not cruelty — that’s common sense.

For Nevada families who play by the rules and pay their taxes, it’s about time Washington started protecting them instead of rewarding lawbreakers.

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Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.