Lawmakers Repeal MinnesotaCare for Undocumented Adults in Special Session

June 9, 2025 – In a dramatic and emotionally charged special session, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to remove undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, the state-subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents. The program was slated to expand open enrollment to all residents, regardless of immigration status, this year.

Passage in the House and Senate

After four hours of debate, the Minnesota House voted  68-65 to strip undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare. DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman (DFL–Brooklyn Park) was the only Democrat to vote for the bill.

“These laws do not make Minnesota better,” said Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul), vice-chair of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus. “They discriminate against the people who contribute significantly to our state – this year paying over $222 million in taxes. The laws that are being repealed, traumatized children, telling them their parents and grandparents' lives do not matter.” Photo by Andrew VonBank

The Senate quickly approved the measure 37–30, with a handful of Democrats crossing party lines. Among them were Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL–St. Paul) who said she didn't agree with the bill but was going to vote for it — Sens. Grant Hauschild (Hermantown), Ann Rest (New Hope), and Robert Kupec (Moorhead) 

Strong opposition

In a press conference Monday morning, the Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus denounced the proposed repeal of MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults, a move they described as “cruel, calculated, and targeted” toward immigrant communities of color.

Full press conference

“If our leaders believe this is the best offer they can make—sending our immigrant neighbors to their deathbeds—then they are deeply mistaken about how hard we are willing to fight to protect them,” said Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul), vice-chair of the Caucus.

POCI members emphasized that the affected population contributes more than $220 million in taxes to the state annually and would still pay premiums and copays under the MinnesotaCare program. The Caucus asserted that undocumented Minnesotans are already among the most vulnerable to healthcare disparities, often relying on emergency rooms for basic care due to lack of access to preventative services.

“Without access to preventative healthcare, people are forced to use emergency rooms as their primary care provider, overwhelming these critical facilities and driving up costs for all,” said Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis).

The legislation now heads to Governor Tim Walz for his signature.