Rep. Lauren Boebert introduces the no federal taxpayer dollars for illegal aliens health insurance act

Washington, DC-- Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) introduced the No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026, to ensure that federal taxpayer funds for health insurance coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are reserved for American citizens. “American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize health insurance for people who entered our country illegally,” said Rep. Lauren Boebert. “This bill closes loopholes that have allowed states to redirect federal health care dollars to illegal aliens and makes clear that these benefits are reserved for Americans.” “For years, sanctuary states like Colorado have deliberately exploited the system — using hardworking Coloradans’ taxpayer dollars to provide benefits to people illegally present in our country. This legislation puts a stop to that abuse and restores taxpayer-funded healthcare programs to their intended purpose: serving the Americans they were created to protect,” said Congressman Gabe Evans "Sanctuary states, like Colorado, prioritize the well-being of illegal aliens over their own constituents, and the people have noticed. Colorado has intentionally exploited a loophole to use federal dollars to provide illegal aliens with healthcare coverage. Federal dollars are for the benefit of law-abiding American citizens, not illegal aliens. I’m proud to work with my Colorado colleagues to close this loophole,” said Rep. Jeff Crank “American taxpayers expect their hard-earned dollars to support the citizens and lawful residents they were intended to serve. This legislation closes a loophole that allowed federal health care funds to be redirected in ways Congress never intended. By reinforcing clear eligibility standards, we can protect taxpayer resources while ensuring our health care system remains focused on those legally entitled to these benefits,” said Rep. Jeff Hurd. The No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026 clarifies that states receiving federal funding through Affordable Care Act Section 1332 waivers may not use those funds to provide health coverage benefits to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawfully present immigrants. The legislation also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to rescind any previously approved waivers that violate these restrictions. Background: Rep. Boebert’s No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026 aims to ensure that federal taxpayer funds for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are reserved exclusively for Americans and lawfully present immigrants, not illegal aliens. This bill reinforces President Trump’s executive order directing federal agencies to prevent individuals who are in the country illegally from receiving federal benefits and closes loopholes that were exploited during the Biden Administration. The Affordable Care Act restricts federal health insurance subsidies to U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawfully present immigrants. However, some states, including Colorado, New York and Washington, have used Section 1332 waivers to create alternative coverage programs that may extend federally funded benefits to individuals who are not legally authorized to be in the country. Without clear statutory limits, these waivers can continue using federal taxpayer dollars for such coverage. Rep. Boebert’s legislation explicitly prohibits the use of federal ACA funds for such purposes and directs the termination of any noncompliant waivers. Cosponsors of the No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026 include: Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05), Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08), Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22), Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-02), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02).