WA budget includes $150M to maintain health coverage for low-income immigrants

Thousands of people who are not U.S. citizens would continue to receive Medicaid-like health care coverage in Washington state under the budget plan the Legislature recently approved.

But the program could make the state a target for Medicaid cuts Republicans in Congress are pursuing.

Washington opened its Apple Health Expansion program for immigrants without legal status last year. Enrollment remains capped based on available funding, which is set to be maintained at roughly $150 million in the next two-year budget. The budget bill is awaiting a signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

This week, Republicans in the U.S. House pushed ahead with legislation that would penalize states that have these kinds of health care programs for immigrants.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/15/wa-budget-includes-150m-to-maintain-health-coverage-for-low-income-immigrants/