Some Twin Cities faith leaders are voicing concerns over the state’s decision to cut healthcare for undocumented immigrants as part of a compromise on the two-year budget deal announced by the governor and other legislative leaders on Thursday.
The change could cause up to 15,000 people to lose health insurance by year-end, although children would still be covered as part of that compromise.
The move is prompting pastors and clergy to share the stories and concerns of the undocumented who were fearful to speak publicly at the capitol. Reverend Elizabeth Lienesch told the story of Minneapolis business owner Micaela.
"I have not been able to sleep since I heard that adults might be getting cut from the program," Rev. Liensesch explains. "Please allow me to get the care I have been waiting for decades to receive. I want to be able to continue running my store, otherwise I will lose my only source of income."
Around 30 Democratic lawmakers have vowed not to vote in favor of the budget because of the cuts, likely delaying a vote during this session, and forcing a special session next week.
It's a move Chris Bohnhoff, Pastor at Spirit of Peace Church in Minnetonka, says could be devastating for people like Rosa who lives in rural Minnesota.
"The story of my sister Rosa, a hog farmhand from Worthington, Minnesota, breast cancer runs in my family," Bohnhoff explains. "Since the expansion to MinnesotaCare, I have been able to finally sleep at nights. Stopping my mammograms will prevent my doctors from detecting cancer early."
Speaking on Thursday, DFL House Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman (Brooklyn Park) said the decision simply came down to finances.
"State government is finite and we make these choices, but to preserve the functioning of state government, to preserve health care for everyone else being delivered when it should be delivered and how it should be delivered, we did make this compromise with the Republicans," added Hortman.
A recent update from the Minnesota Department of Health finds the state’s decision to provide free health care to illegal immigrants has become much more costly than anticipated. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 17,396 illegal immigrants are now enrolled in MinnesotaCare, more than twice the original estimate of 7,700.