Elizabeth Warren Denies Democratic Plans for Illegal Immigrant Healthcare Amid Government Shutdown Debate

Senator Elizabeth Warren strongly denied claims that Democrats are seeking to use taxpayer dollars to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants, calling such assertions "flat-out lies" during a heated CBS interview. Warren emphasized that no Medicaid or Medicare funds go to undocumented immigrants and clarified that the Democratic position focuses on ensuring hospitals receive fair reimbursement for emergency care, a requirement dating back to the Reagan administration. Despite repeated attempts by CBS host Tony Dokoupil to highlight a Democratic proposal to restore Medicaid benefits for certain noncitizens removed under the Trump-era "big, beautiful bill," Warren maintained there is no change in assistance to undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders echoed Warren's position, labeling Republican claims about Democrats wanting healthcare for undocumented immigrants as false, and expressed concern about the impact of the government shutdown on insured citizens, particularly in Vermont. Sanders highlighted that undocumented immigrants cannot access Medicaid, Medicare, or ACA benefits under current law and warned that many citizens would face doubled premiums due to the shutdown. Both Democrats underscore their commitment to protecting insured Americans' healthcare access while firmly rejecting Republican accusations related to undocumented immigrants' healthcare benefits.