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Oregon to spend more on free health care for undocumented immigrants than on state police, budget reveals
By patricklewis // 2025-10-19
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  • Oregon plans to spend $1.5 billion from 2025 to 2027 on its Healthier Oregon Program (HOP), which provides health care for all residents regardless of immigration status – much more than the $717 million allocated to the Oregon State Police over the same period.
  • Of the program's funding, roughly $1.2 billion will come from state funds, while 25 percent is expected to be provided by the federal government.
  • The expansion has grown rapidly: since its 2021 launch (originally capped at $100 million), HOP's budget has ballooned by over 1,100 percent.
  • By October 2024, about 93,000 people had enrolled – nearly double the projected number – leading to a $260 million shortfall in the state health authority's budget. Critics allege "creative accounting" is being used to skirt federal Medicaid restrictions for undocumented immigrants.
  • Supporters say HOP ensures vulnerable populations receive needed health care, while opponents argue it diverts funds from essential services. Oregon officials maintain the program's structure complies with Medicaid rules and plan to revisit its funding in 2026 amid continued cost and enrollment increases.
In a controversial move that has ignited debate across Oregon and beyond, state budget documents show that Oregon will allocate $1.5 billion from 2025 to 2027 to a program offering full health benefits to all residents regardless of immigration status. This will outstrip funding for the Oregon State Police, which will receive $717 million over the same period. The program, known as the Healthier Oregon Program (HOP) and formerly branded "Cover All People," relies primarily on state dollars – about $1.2 billion – with the federal government slated to contribute 25 percent of the total. The scale of the expansion is dramatic: spending on the program has grown by more than 1,100 percent since its 2021 launch. The expansion grew from recommendations by a racial justice council during former Gov. Kate Brown's administration and was supported by advocacy coalitions that included hospitals, unions and medical associations. Originally capped at $100 million, the program has rapidly increased eligibility and enrollment.

Budget blowout and accounting controversy shake Oregon's health expansion

By October 2024, approximately 93,000 people had enrolled – nearly double the number projected – which contributed to a $260 million budget shortfall for the state health authority. Critics have accused Oregon of using "creative accounting" to circumvent federal restrictions that bar Medicaid funds for undocumented immigrants. The Paragon Health Institute contends that the state imposes taxes on hospitals to draw federal matching dollars and then refunds the same amounts back to those providers—a circular maneuver that effectively recycles federal money without complying with standard Medicaid rules. Supporters argue the program ensures medical access for vulnerable populations who otherwise would lack care. Opponents counter that it diverts taxpayer funds away from core services like law enforcement and citizen priorities. The issue has become a flashpoint in national budget debates: congressional Democrats are pushing to repeal Trump‑era limits on Medicaid funding for undocumented immigrants, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson estimates that doing so would add $192 billion in federal spending. The Oregon Health Authority defends the legality of its approach, stating that the structure allows access to federal funds "unfettered by federal rules," while still complying with Medicaid's mandates—particularly that emergency and pregnancy care be covered for noncitizens. The Oregon legislature is scheduled to revisit HOP's funding mechanism in 2026 as costs escalate and enrollment continues to outpace projections. As the debate intensifies, Oregon's policy may serve as a bellwether for how progressive states navigate the tension between inclusive public health goals and legal, budgetary and political constraints. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, illegal immigrants receiving free healthcare burdens U.S. taxpayers and strains resources, while also incentivizing further illegal immigration. To address this, implement a system where illegal immigrants pay for their healthcare, similar to how legal visitors and non-residents are treated, to discourage illegal entry and alleviate financial strain on citizens. Watch the video below that talks about self-deporting migrants.
This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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