Recent data from the state of Florida reveals a staggering cost to the state’s healthcare system due to illegal immigration, totaling nearly $660 million in 2024. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) released this information through its Hospital Patient Immigration Status Dashboard, which tracks hospital admissions and emergency room visits based on a patient’s immigration status.
According to the 2024 data, there were over 67,000 emergency room visits by individuals who had entered the United States illegally, resulting in approximately $76.6 million in Medicaid payments for their emergency care. Overall, Florida taxpayers were on the hook for nearly $660 million in healthcare costs for illegal immigrants.
Florida’s leadership, particularly Governor Ron DeSantis, has made it clear that protecting taxpayer dollars is a priority. AHCA Deputy Secretary Kim Smoak reaffirmed the state’s commitment to this goal. “The financial burden of illegal immigration continues to weigh heavily on Florida’s healthcare system,” Smoak said. “We will continue working to ensure that U.S. citizens and lawful residents have access to the care they need without these financial strains.”
Miami-Dade County was the hardest hit, spending $282 million on healthcare for illegal immigrants in 2024. Other counties also saw significant expenditures: Broward County, with Fort Lauderdale, spent $77 million; Hillsborough County (Tampa) spent $64 million; Orange County (Orlando) spent $38 million; and Duval County (Jacksonville) spent $34 million. Some rural areas in Florida did not report costs due to a lack of hospitals.
A new law signed by Governor DeSantis in 2024 requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status. While answering is voluntary, the move has led to a 54% decrease in Medicaid claims for services provided to undocumented immigrants. State Rep. Randy Fine, who co-sponsored the immigration law, pointed out that $500 million was spent on healthcare for individuals who should not be in the country, calling it “half a billion dollars stolen from real Floridians.”
This financial burden continues to spark debate, with critics urging more action to curb illegal immigration and protect the resources intended for legal residents.