Medicaid Cuts Starting 10/1/2026
Beginning October 1st, federal Medicaid and CHIP will be limited primarily to lawful permanent residents, immigrants from Cuba and Haiti under special programs, residents of the Freely Associated States, and children or pregnant women with potential legal residency status in states using certain insurance options.
This means: if you're on a visitor visa, temporary work visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1), or processing a green card application, you will no longer receive federal Medicaid.
Who Is Affected
Groups losing coverage starting 10/1:
- Visitor visa applicants (B-1/B-2)
- Temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, TN)
- Student visas (F-1, J-1)
- Those awaiting green card approval (I-485 pending)
- Asylum seekers or those with temporary protected status
- Undocumented immigrants
Groups retaining coverage:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- U.S. citizens
- Immigrants from Cuba and Haiti under special programs
- Children and pregnant women in certain states (varies by state policy)
Why This Policy
This rule is part of an expanded "public charge" policy launched in September. The U.S. government considers immigrants using Medicaid to be a "public burden" and may deny visa or green card applications based on this usage.
The criteria are now very strict: if you've ever received Medicaid, this can be used against your green card application—even if you didn't request it yourself.
What You Should Do Now
If you're processing a green card:
- Find private health insurance immediately. Federal Medicaid is gone, but some states still provide state-funded Medicaid (not federal). Ask an attorney if your state has this program.
- Without insurance, healthcare costs are extremely high. A doctor visit can cost $200-500, and hospitalization can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Avoid using any public healthcare services. If you do, it will be documented and could impact your application.
If you're on a temporary visa:
- Don't rely on Medicaid. If you need healthcare, you must pay privately or purchase travel health insurance.
- Some employers offer health insurance for H-1B visa holders, but costs are high.
If you're an undocumented immigrant:
- Some states like California and New York still provide state-funded Medicaid to undocumented immigrants. However, the federal rule starting 10/1 will cut federal Medicaid.
Important Considerations
This rule applies to federal Medicaid—funds from the federal government. Some states may continue providing state-funded Medicaid, but this depends on each state's decision.
Additionally, if you're a family member of someone applying for a visa, you may also be affected. For example, if your spouse is processing a green card application, you could also lose federal Medicaid.
This rule does not affect Medicare (insurance for those 65 and older). However, it significantly impacts younger people processing applications.
