ST. PAUL 鈥� Roughly 30 people gathered outside Gov. Tim Walz鈥檚 office on Tuesday, May 27, protesting the potential end of state health care for undocumented adults.
Tuesday afternoon鈥檚 protest, organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, was in response to a budget deal struck May 15 between Walz and legislative leaders that would repeal coverage for undocumented adults under MinnesotaCare 鈥� a health care program established in 1992 鈥� while protecting coverage for children.
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The Legislature ended its regular session on May 19; leaders failed to pass the largest parts of the state budget, including the health and human services budget that would carry the issue of undocumented health care. MinnesotaCare currently covers roughly 20,000 undocumented immigrants, 24% of whom are children, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
This budget bill is one of several that leaders are continuing to negotiate behind closed doors before calling a special session to finish work. Pablo Tapia, an auto body technician from Blaine, said at the protests that the budget is a 鈥渕oral document,鈥� not a political document, and that politicians need to humanize the issue of undocumented health care more.
鈥淲e are not chips at a casino 鈥� We are not your budget cuts,鈥� he said.
Tuesday鈥檚 protest was the second outside of Walz鈥檚 office over the issue. DFL lawmakers also protested outside Walz鈥檚 office during the budget deal announcement May 15.
鈥淎 special session will be taking place; the government has not finished their job here,鈥� said Emilio Rodriguez, a University of Minnesota student. 鈥淲e still have opportunities to fight back 鈥� stand with our legislators that are supporting us, continue to be here and make your voice heard 鈥� you still have a chance.鈥�
Protesters chanted and gave speeches before marching around the Capitol and entering the lobby of Walz鈥檚 office before peacefully dispersing around 1 p.m.
The Trust Project
