- A Republican-backed bill to ban public funds for undocumented immigrant health care is heading to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.
- The bill passed the state Senate on a party-line vote and is expected to be vetoed by the Democratic governor.
- Federal law already restricts undocumented immigrants from most federal benefits, with exceptions for emergency and prenatal care.
- Supporters say the bill prevents future programs, while opponents call it a heartless political attack.
MADISON – A proposal to ban public funds from covering health care for undocumented immigrants in Wisconsin is on its way to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ desk after a contentious vote in the state Senate.
The bill would prevent any state or local funds — or federal funds passing through the state — from being used for health care services for anyone in the U.S. without authorization. It would not apply to cases where funding medical care is required by federal law, or where the ban would result in Wisconsin losing federal funds.
Federal law already bars those without legal status from Medicaid and most other federal benefits, with some exceptions, including emergency care and prenatal services.
The Republican bill passed the Senate on a party-line vote Nov. 18. Having passed the Assembly, it goes to Evers, who will likely veto it. Groups including the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Wisconsin Council of Churches and Kids Forward are registered against the legislation.
Bill co-author Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, characterized Democrats’ reaction to the bill as a “temper tantrum.”
Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick, called the bill “a heartless attack on human beings for political points,” and both Sens. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, and Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, said the bill offends them as Christians.
Carpenter was removed from a Senate committee last month after a heated dispute over the bill during a committee hearing.
“At the root of this, we would be contradicting what our morals are as Americans,” said Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee. “We are putting people’s lives at risk.”
The bill would not remove existing access to health care for undocumented immigrants, including emergency room visits and care provided in prisons.
“All we’re doing is ensuring that no governor or department can just create, by rule, a health care program for people who are here illegally,” Wanggaard told reporters before the vote.
Wanggaard pointed to states like Minnesota, which repealed state-subsidized health insurance for undocumented immigrants in June, and Illinois, where spending on such a program significantly outpaced predictions. In California, enrollment in a similar program is set to freeze as the state faces a budget crunch.
“There’s no gender, race, size, shape, age that this legislation deals with,” Wanggaard said in response to Democrats’ arguments. “Let’s not politicize it and make it that way.”
Jessie Opoien can be reached at [email protected].
