A coalition of national advocacy organizations has filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking transparency from the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding new Medicare restrictions for immigrants enacted under H.R. 1, the recently-passed budget reconciliation act. H.R.1 cruelly excludes an estimated 100,000 lawfully present immigrants from Medicare, regardless of how long they have worked and paid taxes with the promise of health care coverage upon retirement or disability. Affected individuals include refugees, asylum recipients, and human trafficking survivors. Key provisions of the law took effect on July 4, 2025, immediately restricting Medicare eligibility for new enrollees. But the Social Security Administration, which is responsible for Medicare eligibility and enrollment functions, has not yet updated its guidance or procedures. Current beneficiaries subject to the new restrictions face termination from Medicare in early 2027. The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging, the National Immigration Law Center, and Refugee Council USA are deeply concerned that the absence of guidance and procedures will harm immigrant communities and amplify the cruelty of stripping away health coverage from people who trusted the government’s promise of Medicare.
- Read the coalition’s full statement
- Read the FOIA request
- Read Justice in Aging’s updated Issue Brief on Older Immigrants and Medicare
September 18, 2025 – A. Bers