Undocumented immigrants will be able to buy health insurance in Maryland under new legislation recently passed by the state House and Senate.
On Friday, the Maryland Senate approved the Access to Care Act on a party-line vote of 34-13.
The Maryland House of Representatives previously passed a similar bill in late February by a vote of 101-34.
Each chamber must vote to approve the other’s bill before it goes to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore.
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Migrants are flooding into Eagle Pass, Texas, waiting to be processed. (Fox News)
Ninfa Amador Hernandez, a policy analyst at immigration advocacy group CASA, said: told Maryland Matters He argued that the bill is a “step forward” in ensuring that all residents of Marylode have access to health care.
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“Maryland is home to immigrants, and we are making this bill another step toward ensuring all Maryland residents receive the best possible access, quality of life, and care. We believe there is,” Amador Hernandez told local media.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
People familiar with the bill told Fox News Digital that the bill would impose additional costs on Maryland taxpayers.
If signed into law, this bill would allow illegal aliens to purchase health insurance at the same rates as American citizens.
A group of immigrants receives food. (AFP via Getty Images)
The measure would also require the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange to submit a federal waiver application by July 1, 2025, to implement the program.
The exemption is required because of federal restrictions on health insurance coverage for undocumented immigrants.
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If a waiver is granted, Maryland’s program could begin as early as 2026.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
