U.S. Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) has expressed concerns about the impact of undocumented immigrants on the U.S. healthcare system, stating that their inclusion exacerbates existing burdens. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Probably shouldn’t be putting millions of illegal immigrants into the system then,” said Collins, U.S. Representative (R-GA).
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), Democrats and GOP leaders engaged in debates during 2024–2025 over whether undocumented immigrants contribute to strain on the U.S. health system. Fact-checks highlighted that most undocumented immigrants are barred from accessing Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and primarily use Emergency Medicaid for life-threatening situations. These points were central to discussions about emergency room crowding and taxpayer costs. Experts also noted that some states provide broader coverage, which has fueled partisan claims.
Nationally, Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants accounted for approximately 0.4% of total Medicaid spending in fiscal year 2023, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). In Georgia, non-qualified or undocumented immigrants are eligible only for emergency assistance, with hospitals relying on Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to offset uncompensated care costs. However, the state does not publish immigrant-specific totals, framing the scale of these costs.
The University of North Carolina’s Sheps Center reported that from 2020–2025, rural hospital closures persisted and emergency room boarding worsened, indicating broad systemic stress not clearly linked to immigration levels. The center tracks over 150 rural closures or conversions since 2010 and notes continued activity in recent years. Other data show rising wait times and increased per-capita health spending nationally, suggesting multifactorial drivers behind these trends.
Collins serves on several committees including Transportation & Infrastructure and led the House-passed Laken Riley Act aimed at mandatory detention of certain noncitizens, reflecting a hard-line stance on immigration costs and public safety as documented on Congress.gov. His releases connect border policy to local burdens, defining his policy focus.
