Few topics ignite as much controversy as the question of whether people living in the United States without legal immigration status should receive publicly funded medical care. Massachusetts has answered that question with an unambiguous yes. Undocumented individuals 21 and under and pregnant women receive full MassHealth coverage, and those who face life-threatening emergencies are covered through MassHealth Limited. Let’s review each.
MassHealth Coverage and Costs
Massachusetts’ MassHealth program (the state’s Medicaid program) uses state funds to provide comprehensive coverage to undocumented immigrants who are children or young adults under age 21, as well as to pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status. This has been in place for pregnant people since at least 2007 and was expanded for children under 19 in 2021 via the Children’s Medical Security Plan (with eligibility extended to age 21). Coverage includes primary and preventive care, dental, vision, and more, with no or low cost-sharing…