She revealed her refugee origins and undocumented arrival to challenge a rollback of MinnesotaCare coverage, raising questions of empathy, legality, and budget priorities.
At a Glance
- Representative Kaohly Vang Her shared her family fled Laos after the Vietnam War and used falsified paperwork to enter the U.S. during a heated debate in the Minnesota Legislature.
- The bill passed on June 9, 2025, repeals MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults effective January 1, 2026, in a razor-thin vote tied to the $66 billion state budget.
- Supporters estimate the repeal will save $56.9 million in the 2026–27 biennium, while critics warn it may increase emergency care costs and harm health equity.
- Four Senate Democrats and House DFL leader Melissa Hortman crossed party lines to pass the measure, part of a negotiated compromise to avert a government shutdown.
- Advocates argue Her’s testimony reframed the debate, humanizing immigrants and highlighting economic contributions of undocumented individuals.
Human story cuts through partisan gridlock
Representative Kaohly Vang Her, a Hmong‑American legislator from St. Paul, began her remarks by recalling her family’s perilous flight from Laos as a child refugee. She disclosed that her father, working at the U.S. Consulate, falsified refugee forms—listing a family friend at USAID as a relative—to expedite their arrival. With emotional restraint, she told colleagues, “Nobody leaves their country unless they have to leave that country,” urging them to see immigrants as people whose choices are shaped by survival, not opportunism.
Her initially claimed to be living in the U.S. illegally, though she later clarified that her family are now U.S. citizens and expressed regret for any confusion—yet stood by her decision to speak honestly. According to the Minnesota Reformer, she noted that “until people see a face … it is really easy for us to other each other.” Her testimony punctured the abstract policy debate with a deeply personal narrative.
Budget fight hinges on health care and shutdown threats
Minnesota’s June 9 special session was called to finalize a $66 billion budget and avert a looming government shutdown. Central to the debate was House File 1/Senate File 8—a provision repealing MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2026. In a negotiated deal, Republicans demanded the rollback in exchange for budget support.
Supporters, including Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), framed the repeal as fiscally responsible, citing a tripling of enrollment from 5,800 to over 17,000 and projected costs above $600 million over four years. They argued that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize those “here illegally.” Opponents, including DFL lawmakers and Senator Zaynab Mohamed, emphasized that undocumented Minnesotans pay taxes and contribute over $220 million annually to the state economy.
Watch a report: Minnesota Reformer covers the special session drama.
Empathy meets policy: implications and stakes
Her’s testimony shifted the floor’s tone, reminding lawmakers that “stripping coverage is not just policy, it’s putting people’s lives at risk.” Health equity advocates echoed this, pointing to potential increases in costly emergency care and setbacks in preventive health.
Republican legislators counter that with constrained budgets and rising costs in education, elder care, and disability services, expanding healthcare for undocumented adults was unsustainable—particularly without federal matching funds. They emphasized that Minnesota remains more generous than many other states, especially as coverage for immigrant children will remain intact under the final bill.
Final vote and next steps
The bill passed narrowly—68‑65 in the House (with four Democrats siding with Republicans) and 37‑30 in the Senate. It now heads to Governor Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it. The repeal will take effect January 1, 2026, formally removing undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare, though emergency services remain available under federal law.
Representative Her’s story has left a tangible impact—forcing a human reckoning amid a fierce policy battle. Her final plea was simple: “when you think about those people, think about me.”
