Hundreds of Legal Washington Immigrants Set to Lose Life-saving Care

September 25, 2026 - 12:09 pm

Teddy bear given to the client by her boyfriend. Photo by Jennie Cecil Moore.

by KBCS contributor Jennie Cecil-Moore

On Oct 1, 11,000 refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants in Washington State are going to lose their health insurance, according to the governor’s office. That includes hundreds of people who need round-the-clock care. HR 1, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” will cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and other health programs over the next ten years. These most vulnerable immigrants are the first group of people to be targeted. 

In a clean, tidy apartment on the Eastside, light is pouring through a bank of windows. I’m here talking to a family who left Ukraine in 2022 because of war and came to Washington as asylees.  They said their new home was so green and beautiful. 

A person in their twenties sits on the couch here between their mother and boyfriend.  We’re going to refer to the person in their 20’s as “the client” and we won’t use names or voices for privacy.  Their case manager, Ihor Hlushchenko, interprets as we talk. He works with Chinese Information and Service Center, an organization that supports local immigrants. 

The client’s life in the US was turned upside down when they started to experience health problems. On a hike with their boyfriend in the mountains, they noticed weakness in their legs and arms.Symptoms got worse, and in March 2023 the doctor started talking about the diagnosis.  It was ALS, a nervous system disease.  

Three years later, the client is fully dependent on others for care.  They used to love hiking, going for walks, and biking.  Now they cannot walk, eat, dress, turn, or reposition on their own.  

When the family first arrived in Washington State, they went to a social services office and were enrolled in Medicaid right away.  The client’s mom said it was easy and their current plan covers everything, but now she’s waiting to find out if they’ll lose coverage in October.  

“As a mom, I used to work at another workplace,” she explained.  When the health condition of my daughter changed, I had to become a caregiver for her and got employed as a caregiver.  These changes [to our health coverage] mean that I will lose my job and this also puts into question how to afford paying the rent.”

This family is not alone:  The client is in a category of care that requires long-term support services. That means Medicaid pays for a caregiver who helps with basic things like eating, toileting, getting out of bed and showering.

The federal government is eliminating Medicaid for some legal immigrants on October 1. Around 900 people who rely on long-term support services in Washington state stand to lose their coverage, according to Lee Che Leong, a senior policy advocate at Northwest Health Law Advocates. 

Leong explains that Washington state tried to fix this, and that “Washington budget writers this spring recognized the cruelty and the moral bankruptcy, to use Governor Ferguson’s words, in the federal legislation and worked hard to allocate funds to mitigate some of the worst harms.”

However, continued federal cuts and policy changes are leaving those funds short. Now only 184 of those legal immigrants who need life-sustaining long-term care are expected to receive state coverage on October 1.  

“Washington is struggling with filling this new gap because the rich don’t pay their fair share,” Leong explains, referring to Washington’s regressive tax system. “Oregon [and] California are using state funds to continue health coverage for immigrants. Massachusetts is continuing coverage for people who are elderly or disabled.” 

Northwest Health Law Advocates filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Health and Human Services. And with coverage ending in just a few days, advocates are telling people to see their doctors, refill prescriptions, and talk to their healthcare navigators while they still have Medicaid. 

“There’s going to be lots of mail coming telling [affected legal immigrants] what’s going to happen,” Leong tells me. “People may be surprised. People who get termination notices are likely to be scared. We encourage people to talk to navigators to figure out what their options are. 

Back at the apartment with the family from Ukraine, I notice a teddy bear on the client’s wheelchair and ask if I can take a photo. Everyone smiles – it was a gift from the client’s boyfriend.  

A few days after I left, they found out that they’re one of those 184 people who will receive state coverage to fill the gap left by the federal government.  Leong says close to 700 legal immigrants statewide are still expected to lose their life-sustaining long-term care on October 1.

Her group is calling on Governor Ferguson to use emergency funds now to help them.

Resources, and how you can help: 

• Leong urges immigrants who are on Apple Health, and who do not hold citizenship or a Green Card, to check their mail and connect with their provider before 30 Sept if coverage is ending. 
• Petition from SEIU 775 to send a letter to urge Gov. Ferguson to use emergency funds to cover immigrant care.”
• NW Health Law Advocates urges Washington residents to contact their state legislator and urge them to support a health safety net for all Washingtonians, including dedicated health revenue.
• More information from Northwest Health Law Advocates on cuts to long-term care for immigrants.