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AP FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to ‘illegal immigrants’

On Tuesday, Democrats are pushing to extend tax credits and reverse Medicaid cuts in the next congressional spending package, while Republicans assert Democrats forced a shutdown to give free health care to immigrants in the U.S. illegally.
Immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally are not eligible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage or Medicaid, and the law President Donald Trump signed restricts some lawfully present immigrants such as refugees and asylees.
Hospitals receive Medicaid reimbursements for emergency care that would be reduced under the bill, though this spending was less than 1% of total Medicaid from fiscal years 2017 to 2023 and affects 40 states, plus Washington, D.C.
Health care premiums for millions of Americans could skyrocket if Congress fails to extend tax credits, while some states use their own funds to cover immigrants without lawful status.
Other Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, repeated the claim, but Sen. Chuck Schumer called it `a lie, plain and simple,` and Sabrina Corlette called it `a flat-out lie` and said `The law is very clear.

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