Fox 9: Catholic bishop supports MN Care for undocumented immigrants: 'Fear takes over'

Healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants is one of the last major disagreements weighing down the chances of a Minnesota budget agreement before the May 19 deadline. The Catholic Church is hoping to tip the scales.

Intense talks

Breaking budget bread:

Gov. Walz and legislative leaders conducted walleye diplomacy Saturday in Crosslake.

They spent about six hours negotiating on Mother’s Day. And they started talks Monday before lunch and continued until after dinner.

Everybody’s optimistic, but there was also a floor debate Monday that highlights the big gap remaining.

Cutting controversy

Debating absence:

To get the health bill to the House floor for debate and a vote, leaders stripped it of the most disputed piece — MN Care coverage for undocumented immigrants.

Republicans want to cut it completely, pointing to triple the expected enrollment and 32% above the expected costs.

"That is a huge issue that will affect many people across this entire state," said Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, (R-Fredenberg Township). "And I want that to be strongly considered and fixed before we end the session."

Catholics for coverage

Pawns on chessboard:

The Catholic Church has fought all session to keep health coverage for immigrants and sent one of its top local officials to advocate as time winds down on the debate.

"Immigrants are sometimes treated like pawns on the chessboard of humanity," said Bishop Kevin Kenney, of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, quoting the late Pope Francis. "The system needs to be fixed at the federal level, which personally, I think will take a miracle, but we do believe it will happen."

...

The governor has indicated a willingness to compromise, but says coverage for children is his red line.

"I've made it clear for me that I just think you've got to cover children," the governor said. "Those children are not, they didn't make the choice and whether you disagree with the choice you think something could be different, these children need to get health care."

Catholic leaders say they want healthcare for everyone, but protecting at least children and the elderly is a basic moral test.

"I don't know what we do, but the whole sense is we shouldn't let fear take over, but we put our priority in the love of neighbor," said Bishop Kenney.

...

Read the full article at Fox 9.