Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is defending a new federal proposal that she says will close a costly Medicaid loophole and restore fairness for American taxpayers.
Speaking from Oswego, Tenney highlighted the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which targets a long-standing policy in New York that allowed certain noncitizens to access state-run Medicaid benefits using federal funds — bypassing the usual five-year waiting period for immigrant eligibility.
“New Yorkers deserve a health care system that is sustainable and transparent,” Tenney said. “This reform stops taxpayer dollars from subsidizing health care for non-Americans and protects resources for citizens and long-term lawful residents.”
According to Tenney, the loophole let Albany offer more generous coverage to noncitizens than many Americans could access, including those ineligible for Obamacare’s Premium Tax Credits. She argued the practice not only diverted billions in federal funds but also created the wrong incentives around immigration.
The proposed bill would align Medicaid rules with Obamacare exchange eligibility, aiming to close what Tenney calls a fairness gap between citizens and noncitizens in access to subsidized care.
Supporters say the bill promotes self-sufficiency and prioritizes federal health care for Americans. Critics have yet to respond publicly to the announcement.
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.