Federal Spending Plan Restricts Virginia Medicaid Access for Thousands of Legal Immigrants

Effective October 1, 2026, thousands of legal immigrants in Virginia, specifically noncitizens without green cards, will lose Medicaid eligibility. This change stems from the federal spending plan, HR 1, passed in 2025, which limits eligibility to lawful permanent residents and certain other migrant groups. The policy shift impacts legally residing immigrants with humanitarian statuses who previously qualified for coverage.