HF284

The legislative bill discussed here proposes changes to the eligibility requirements for MinnesotaCare, a healthcare program in the state of Minnesota. Specifically, the bill seeks to amend the state statutes to clearly state that undocumented noncitizens are not eligible to receive benefits under MinnesotaCare. According to the proposed amendment, only U.S. citizens, nationals, or noncitizens who are lawfully present in the U.S. are eligible for this healthcare program. The bill also stipulates that families with children who are U.S. citizens or nationals must provide appropriate documentation to prove their citizenship or nationality in accordance with the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Additionally, the bill outlines that individuals who are lawfully present but ineligible for medical assistance due to their immigration status could still qualify for emergency medical assistance if their income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.