International Institute of Los Angeles Corrects False Political Statements on Immigrant Healthcare Access

Long-standing nonprofit condemns misleading political statements about immigrants and calls for truth and accountability in political messaging.

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA), a long-standing nonprofit serving refugees, immigrants, and low-income families across Southern California, strongly condemns recent misleading political statements suggesting that immigrants without legal status receive or should receive government-funded healthcare benefits. These claims are false and dangerously distort the debate surrounding the October 1 federal government shutdown.

“Immigrants in the United States without legal status have never qualified directly for federally funded health insurance or programs under any administration,” said Cambria Tortorelli, President and CEO of IILA. “To claim that a political party has shut down the federal government to push for these benefits for undocumented immigrants is simply untrue. The real issue is about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year and $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid made by H.R. 1-changes that directly affect ordinary American citizens.”

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally funded health insurance programs. Emergency care is different. Hospitals can receive Medicaid reimbursements for emergency services provided to patients who would qualify except for their immigration status. The limited payments for these services go to hospitals, not patients. These emergency services are required by law, as instituted by President Reagan, and accounted for less than 1% of Medicaid spending between fiscal years 2017- 2023, according to KFF (an independent health policy organization).

These claims have also caused confusion about what changes H.R. 1 instituted for healthcare for immigrants. It needs to be clear that the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ strips lawfully present immigrants of critical healthcare and nutrition assistance by rescinding their eligibility for: ACA premium subsidies, Medicare, Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and food stamps (SNAP/CalFresh). Those losing eligibility for these programs include refugees and asylees who fled persecution and survivors of human trafficking, who are lawfully present in the United States.

Tortorelli added:
“The American people deserve honesty about what is truly at stake. The current fight in Congress is not about benefits for undocumented immigrants—it’s about whether millions of everyday American citizens will lose access to affordable health care. If the enhanced ACA premium subsidies enacted in 2021 and 2022 expire at the end of 2025, more than 22 million Americans could see their health insurance premiums increase by an average of 114%, according to KFF. That is the real story. Anything else is a smoke screen.”

IILA stands with immigrant advocates nationwide in calling for truth and accountability in political messaging and will continue to push back against harmful narratives that vilify immigrant communities.

For more information about IILA’s services for refugees and immigrants or to get involved, please visit iilosangeles.org or contact Marisa Moonilal Montes at mmoonilal@iilosangeles.org.

About the International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA)

Founded in 1914, the International Institute of Los Angeles provides comprehensive services to refugees, immigrants, and low-income families throughout Southern California. From refugee resettlement to workforce development, IILA is dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and fostering inclusive communities.

Marisa Moonilal
International Institute of Los Angeles
+1 323-224-3800
email us here

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