Minnesota auxiliary bishop calls for continuation of health care for illegal immigrants

Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 13, 2025 / 16:49 pm (CNA).

Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Kenney of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis and other Catholics on Monday spoke at the Minnesota Capitol, where they urged lawmakers to continue allowing illegal immigrants access to MinnesotaCare, a state-funded program that provides health care to low-income families.

Kenney told CNA that illegal immigrants “are brothers and sisters, and we need to care for all people. Basic health care is an important feature of who we are as Christians, as Catholics … We’re not advocating for free health care for undocumented but simply access to it.”

The Minnesota Catholic Conference lobbied for the establishment of MinnesotaCare, which in 1992 began providing coverage for low-income working families who earn above the Medicaid threshold (known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota).

In 2023, the social safety net was expanded to include illegal immigrants. Some Republicans are advocating for their removal from the program, however, to reduce costs and deter migration to the state now that enrollment has exceeded projections.

Minnesota Republican Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen posted a statement on the state’s Senate Republican Caucus website on Monday calling for “a commonsense amendment” that allocates taxpayer dollars toward nursing homes rather than health coverage for migrants who are in the country illegally. 

“The cost to taxpayers so far is $134 million, and it’s rising fast,” Gruenhagen said. “At this rate, we’ll soon be spending over $600 million on this program, with zero federal match. Every dollar is coming directly from you, the taxpayers of Minnesota.”

As of April 24, data from the state Department of Human Services shows 20,187 illegal immigrants enrolled in the program, which operates on a fee-for-service model, according to a local Minnesota Reformer report. “DHS says it has received 4,306 claims for service, costing Minnesota $3.9 million,” the report states, noting the figure is almost $1 million over the state’s projected cost for the program by that date. 

Kenney acknowledged Republican lawmakers’ concerns but said “[we can] work this out so that it’s not an additional expense on the state of Minnesota as they’re trying to cut their budget, as a way of caring for people … who can’t afford health care.” 

The Minnesota House of Representatives is evenly split 67-67. The state’s lawmakers are working to pass the budget before June 30 to avoid a July 1 government shutdown. 

In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives will debate a bill in committee this week that, among other changes, would penalize states that provide health care to illegal immigrants.

Kenney noted that bill but stressed that “we can’t make decisions out of fear of repercussions, we need to make them out of love for our fellow men and women, our fellow brothers and sisters … I’m hoping that the Holy Spirit touches some hearts.”