Approximately 177,000 immigrants who are legally residing in Florida could face the loss of their Medicaid coverage this Thursday, following the implementation of new federal restrictions that change who can access the program based on their immigration status, as reported by Telemundo 51.
The change is a direct consequence of the federal law H.R. 1, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, which introduced the broadest restrictions on immigrants' access to Medicaid in decades. The new rules went into effect on October 1, 2026.
Who loses coverage?
The new rules eliminate access to Medicaid with federal funds for refugees, asylees, and beneficiaries of humanitarian parole who do not have another status protected by law.
Historically, these categories of immigrants with legal status had full access to the program; the new legislation closes that door for those who do not fit into the expressly protected groups.
Who maintains access?
Under the new rules, the following groups maintain eligibility for Medicaid with federal funding:
- Legal permanent residents, that is, holders of a Green Card.
- Cubans and Haitians with special entry status, known as "Cuban/Haitian entrants."
- Migrants from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).
Exceptions are also maintained for children under 19 years of age and pregnant women who are legally residing in the country. U.S. citizens are not affected by these restrictions.
The specific case of Cubans
For the Cuban community, the situation has important nuances that should be clarified.
The category «Cuban/Haitian entrant» —which applies to Cubans admitted under parole, in removal proceedings, or with a pending asylum application— is explicitly protected and retains access to full Medicaid, although there may be a limit of seven years from the granting of the status.
However, being Cuban by itself does not guarantee exemption: the person must be classified in that specific category or another protected by law.
Those who are applying for their residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act have extra protection: receiving Medicaid or other public assistance cannot be used against them in their residency application, as the law includes a statutory exemption from the public charge inadmissibility ground, confirmed in the Federal Register of July 2026.
The immigration attorney Willy Allen III was emphatic about it: "If I am Cuban, I will take advantage of the Adjustment Act and if I have received any help, I will distance myself. No worries. It doesn't matter. Has nothing to do with it. Because it is an exception. And it remains an exception."
The impact is not limited to Florida: in Illinois, over 9,000 immigrants are also facing the loss of full coverage starting this Thursday.
What should those who received a letter from the DCF do?
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) verifies immigration status through the federal SAVE system. When it cannot confirm it electronically, it sends a notification requesting documents to the beneficiary.
Those who have received that letter must submit the required documentation before the indicated deadline through the MyACCESS platform, by postal mail, or by fax to the number listed in the notification. They can also call the DCF call center at 850-300-4323.
If valid documentation is not provided, coverage may be terminated. Emergency Medicaid remains available for emergency treatments, although it does not equate to regular coverage.
This Thursday also marks the opening of the annual Open Enrollment period for Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, which runs until November 30 and allows those already enrolled in Medicaid to change their plan without justification, a process that is separate and independent from immigration restrictions.
Los cambios en el acceso a beneficios según el estatus migratorio son parte de un panorama que evoluciona rápidamente. Sigue todos los detalles en nuestra sección de para mantenerte informado.
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