Thousands of immigrants to lose medicare coverage in new year

As 2026 draws to a close, thousands of immigrants with lawful status are preparing for a significant change in their healthcare coverage. A new law, H.R. 1, passed by Congressional Republicans last year, is set to terminate their Medicare eligibility starting February 1, 2027 [Medicare Rights Center]. This represents a substantial departure from the long-standing policy that granted Medicare eligibility to anyone who had paid sufficient Social Security and Medicare taxes on their wages [Medicare Rights Center].

Who Is Affected?

The new legislation narrows Medicare eligibility to specific groups: American citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents (often called green card holders), Cuban and Haitian entrants, and lawful residents from Compact of Free Association (COFA) states [Medicare Rights Center].

This means that other immigrants, even those who have been enrolled in Medicare for years and contributed to the system through their taxes, will lose their coverage. This includes individuals with refugee status, those with pending asylum applications, people holding temporary protected status, and victims of trafficking and other crimes [Medicare Rights Center]. The Social Security Administration (SSA) was tasked with identifying and notifying these impacted immigrants by July of this year [Medicare Rights Center].

Medicare Rights Center's Concerns

The Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy organization, has expressed concerns about the potential harm this change could cause. They recently commented on a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that outlines how these eligibility changes will be implemented [Medicare Rights Center].

The organization is urging CMS to take steps to mitigate the negative impact on those losing coverage. Their recommendations include providing timely and ample notification to affected individuals. They also advocate for establishing an extended special enrollment period for those whose immigration status may change in the future, allowing them to re-enroll in Medicare [Medicare Rights Center].

Impact on Healthcare Access

This policy shift could create significant challenges for affected individuals, potentially leaving them without essential healthcare coverage. While Medicare previously prohibited payments for care for anyone without legal resident status, the new law specifically targets individuals who have lawful status and have historically been eligible due to their tax contributions [Medicare Rights Center].

For many, losing Medicare could mean a sudden loss of access to doctors, prescription medications, and other critical health services, especially for those managing chronic conditions. The full scope of the impact will become clearer as the January 2027 deadline approaches and individuals transition away from their current Medicare benefits.