Key Takeaways
• The One, Big, Beautiful Bill stops unauthorized immigrants from receiving Obamacare tax credits and Medicare benefits.
• The bill includes $45 billion for detention centers and $27 billion for ICE removal operations.
• States lose federal funds for temporary Medicaid coverage of immigrants during status verification.
In early June 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a major piece of immigration legislation known as The One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This bill aims to stop unauthorized immigrants—often called illegal immigrants—from getting taxpayer-funded health benefits, including Obamacare premium tax credits and Medicare. The bill is now waiting for a vote in the Senate. If it becomes law, it will change how millions of people in the United States 🇺🇸 access health care and other federal benefits.
This article explains what The One, Big, Beautiful Bill does, why it matters, and how it could affect different groups, including U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, and unauthorized immigrants. We’ll also look at the background of this debate, what experts say, and what might happen next.
What Is The One, Big, Beautiful Bill?
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a new law passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2025. The main goal of the bill is to end taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants. This means that people who are in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal permission would no longer be able to get certain federal health benefits, even if they were able to before.
The bill focuses on two main benefits:
– Obamacare premium tax credits: These are discounts that help people pay for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare).
– Medicare: This is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, or who have certain disabilities.
The bill also includes other changes, such as making it harder for unauthorized immigrants to get other tax benefits and increasing money for immigration enforcement.
Why Was This Bill Introduced?
Supporters of The One, Big, Beautiful Bill say that federal health benefits should be reserved for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants. They argue that giving these benefits to illegal immigrants is unfair to taxpayers and encourages more people to come to the United States 🇺🇸 without permission.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) said the bill is meant to “prioritize U.S. citizens by ending taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants.” He and other supporters believe that stopping these benefits will save money and make the immigration system fairer.
The bill is also a response to changes made by the Biden-Harris Administration. Over the past few years, President Biden and Vice President Harris expanded immigration statuses, which allowed more unauthorized immigrants to get federal benefits. Supporters of the new bill want to reverse these changes.
What Does the Bill Actually Do?
1. Ends Obamacare Premium Tax Credits for Unauthorized Immigrants
Before this bill, some unauthorized immigrants could get Obamacare premium tax credits if their immigration status was expanded under the Biden-Harris Administration. These credits help people pay for health insurance. If the bill becomes law, unauthorized immigrants will no longer be able to get these credits.
2. Blocks Medicare Benefits for Unauthorized Immigrants
The bill also stops unauthorized immigrants from getting Medicare benefits. This means that even if someone has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for a long time, they cannot get Medicare unless they have legal status.
3. Changes Medicaid Rules for States
Some states provide Medicaid (a health insurance program for low-income people) to people while their immigration status is being checked. The bill says states can no longer get federal money for this temporary coverage. States will have to pay for it themselves if they want to keep offering it.
4. Increases Immigration Enforcement Spending
The bill is part of a larger package called the 2025 Reconciliation Bill. This package includes:
– $45 billion for immigrant detention centers
– $27 billion for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) removal operations
– New limits on tax benefits for immigrants
– A new tax on money sent out of the United States 🇺🇸 (remittances)
Who Is Affected by the Bill?
Unauthorized Immigrants
- Loss of Health Benefits: Unauthorized immigrants will lose access to Obamacare premium tax credits and Medicare. This could make it much harder for them to afford health care.
- More Deportations Possible: With more money for detention centers and ICE, there could be more arrests and deportations.
U.S. Citizens and Legal Immigrants
- Healthcare System Changes: Some experts say that if unauthorized immigrants lose health coverage, they may still need care but will go to emergency rooms instead. This could increase costs for hospitals and taxpayers.
- Federal Spending: Supporters say that stopping benefits for unauthorized immigrants will save money and allow more funds for citizens and legal residents.
States
- Medicaid Coverage: States that want to keep covering people while their immigration status is checked will have to pay for it themselves. They can no longer get federal matching funds for this period.
How Does the Process Work?
1. Checking Immigration Status
When someone applies for Medicaid, states use a system called SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) to check if they are eligible. If the check takes time, states can give temporary coverage during a “reasonable opportunity period.” Under the new bill, states will not get federal money for this temporary coverage.
2. Applying for Benefits
Unauthorized immigrants will not be able to apply for federal health benefits like Obamacare premium tax credits or Medicare. If they try, their applications will be denied.
For more information about Medicaid eligibility and the SAVE system, you can visit the official Medicaid website.
What Do the Numbers Say?
- Over 600 immigration-related executive actions were taken during the Biden Administration, which supporters of the bill say led to more illegal immigrants entering the country.
- Unauthorized immigrants pay nearly $60 billion in federal taxes every year, according to the Brookings Institution. Even though they pay taxes, they are ineligible for most federal benefits.
- The 2025 Reconciliation Bill proposes $45 billion for detention centers and $27 billion for ICE removal operations.
What Do Experts and Stakeholders Say?
Conservative Viewpoint
Supporters of the bill, mostly from the Republican Party, say it is necessary to protect taxpayer money and make sure benefits go to citizens and legal immigrants. They believe that giving benefits to illegal immigrants encourages more people to come to the United States 🇺🇸 without permission.
Liberal Viewpoint
Critics, including many Democrats and immigrant rights groups, say the bill could hurt vulnerable people. They argue that taking away health benefits will not stop people from coming but will make it harder for families to stay healthy. They also worry that hospitals and states will have to pay more when people without insurance use emergency services.
Expert Analysis
- The Brookings Institution points out that unauthorized immigrants already cannot get most federal benefits, but they still pay a lot in taxes. The new bill could also make it harder for some legal immigrants to get help.
- The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) notes that some states give health coverage to children no matter their immigration status. The new federal rules could make it harder for states to keep these programs.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes could have a ripple effect across the healthcare system, affecting not just unauthorized immigrants but also legal residents and U.S. citizens who rely on state and federal health programs.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
The debate over whether unauthorized immigrants should get federal benefits is not new. In the past, different presidents have made different rules about who can get help.
- Biden-Harris Administration: Expanded who could get benefits, allowing more unauthorized immigrants to qualify.
- Current Legislation: The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is an effort to reverse these changes and limit benefits to citizens and legal immigrants only.
This debate is part of a larger argument about immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸. Some people want stricter rules and more enforcement, while others want to make it easier for immigrants to get legal status and access benefits.
What Happens Next?
Senate Approval Needed
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill has passed the House but still needs to pass the Senate before it can become law. The Senate may change parts of the bill or vote it down. If it passes, President Biden would have to decide whether to sign it into law or veto it.
Possible Changes to the Reconciliation Bill
The larger 2025 Reconciliation Bill includes many other changes, such as more money for enforcement and new taxes on remittances. These changes could also affect both unauthorized and legal immigrants.
Impact on States and Healthcare
If the bill becomes law, states may have to decide whether to keep offering health coverage to people waiting for their immigration status to be checked. Some states may stop these programs if they can’t get federal money.
What Are the Practical Effects?
For Unauthorized Immigrants
- No More Obamacare Premium Tax Credits: They will have to pay full price for health insurance or go without.
- No Medicare: Even if they are elderly or disabled, they cannot get Medicare without legal status.
- Risk of Deportation: With more money for enforcement, there may be more arrests and removals.
For U.S. Citizens and Legal Immigrants
- Possible Savings: Supporters say there will be more money for citizens and legal residents.
- Healthcare Costs: Hospitals and emergency rooms may see more uninsured patients, which could increase costs for everyone.
For States
- Budget Decisions: States will have to decide whether to pay for temporary Medicaid coverage themselves.
- Children’s Health Programs: States that cover all children, regardless of immigration status, may have to find new funding.
Multiple Perspectives: Real-Life Scenarios
- Maria, an unauthorized immigrant, currently gets help paying for health insurance through Obamacare. If the bill becomes law, she will lose this help and may not be able to afford insurance.
- John, a U.S. citizen, worries that more uninsured people will use the emergency room, making it harder for him to get care.
- State Health Officials in California must decide whether to keep covering children regardless of immigration status, even if federal money is cut.
Where Can You Learn More?
For official updates and more details, visit the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means. You can also read analysis from the Brookings Institution and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
What Should You Do Now?
- If you are an unauthorized immigrant: Be aware that you may lose access to federal health benefits if the bill becomes law. Look for state or local programs that may still offer help.
- If you are a legal immigrant or U.S. citizen: Watch for changes to your health coverage, especially if you live in a state that covers people regardless of immigration status.
- If you work in healthcare or government: Prepare for possible changes in who is eligible for benefits and how your programs are funded.
Conclusion
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a major step in the ongoing debate about immigration and federal benefits in the United States 🇺🇸. While supporters say it will save money and protect taxpayers, critics warn it could hurt vulnerable people and increase costs in other parts of the healthcare system. The final outcome depends on what happens in the Senate and how states respond to any new rules. For now, everyone involved should stay informed and be ready for changes that could affect millions of lives.
Learn Today
Unauthorized Immigrants → Individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission or valid immigration status.
Obamacare Premium Tax Credits → Federal discounts helping eligible people afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Medicare → Federal health insurance program mainly for people aged 65 or older and certain disabled individuals.
Medicaid → Joint federal and state program providing health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
SAVE System → A federal database used to verify an applicant’s immigration status for benefit eligibility.
This Article in a Nutshell
Passed in June 2025, The One, Big, Beautiful Bill ends health benefits for unauthorized immigrants. It also boosts immigration enforcement funding, impacting healthcare access and federal spending amid intense political debate in the U.S. The Senate’s vote will decide its future and nationwide healthcare effects.
— By VisaVerge.com
