Minnesota Author Argues Deportation Spending Crowds Out Medicaid Funding
In a Minnesota Reformer commentary, a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes argues that federal mass deportation spending diverts taxpayer money that could instead fund healthcare and other needs. The author cites an Economic Policy Institute calculator estimating Minnesota taxpayers are contributing $4.4 billion, or $2,050 per taxpayer, toward national deportation enforcement costs, and argues that sum could instead cover Medicaid for 130,000 Minnesotans, rural hospital funding, or veterans' care. The piece also cites the recently enacted federal reconciliation law as having cut funding for Medicaid, the ACA, and SNAP. The author draws on her own experience losing health coverage for her daughter's diabetes treatment before Minnesota adopted insulin price caps, and calls on elected officials to oppose using tax dollars for deportation operations.