Florida Medicaid Spending on Migrants Decreases 54%

Florida's Medicaid spending on undocumented migrants has significantly decreased by 54% after Governor Ron DeSantis implemented Senate Bill 1718, requiring hospitals to collect and report costs for treating illegal migrants. The reduction in spending, from $148.4 million to $67 million, is attributed to the law's enforcement without mandating migrants to disclose their status. Despite concerns that this may deter migrants from seeking medical care, DeSantis and state Republicans view the law as successful in curbing taxpayer-funded Medicaid payments to illegal immigrants. The law forms part of DeSantis' broader crackdown on illegal immigration, including employment verification measures for larger businesses, and critics question the direct correlation between the law and reduced spending, pointing out a pre-existing downward trend in Medicaid spending on migrants. Advocates for migrants and some Republicans concerned about labor shortages have expressed reservations about the law and its impact on migrant communities.