ST PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders have signed an agreement to eliminate health care coverage for undocumented adults, but how that move will be enacted remains unsettled.
DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy insists the policy change should be addressed in a standalone bill.
“It is my continued contingent and belief which I have expressed clearly that if it’s going to pass, it will have to pass separately. I think the agreement that we reached means we have to pass it but the only way to pass it is in a separate bill.”
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, however, dismissed that option.
“When we talked about changing the way things are being done, so talking about the health insurance for undocumented adults, keeping the undocumented children still on the plan, there has never been a discussion in the room as far as setting that out separately.”
Republicans say the policy change is part of a broader budget bill being finalized in a special session. DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman voiced strong opposition to the measure but acknowledged its inclusion was necessary to secure a budget deal.
“We hate it. I mean it is a cold-hearted, partisan ideological stance that is not required to settle the budget. But that is the condition that’s been demanded by the House GOP, and it is a condition we agreed to resolve the budget.”
Despite the agreement, Murphy continues to push for separating the issue from the overall budget package.
