Rep. Elmer: Report shows Oregon spends more on non-citizen health care than State Police

House Republican Leader Calls for Accountability after Report Shows Oregon will Spend More on Health Care for Non-Citizens than State Police
By Oregon House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer,

SALEM, Ore. — Today, House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer is calling for accountability after a news report revealed Oregon will spend more on free health care for immigrants — regardless of their legal status — than on state police.

According to the Legislative Fiscal Office, Oregon expects to spend $1.3 billion in state and federal tax dollars combined for the Healthier Oregon program, an Oregon Health Plan (OHP), non-Medicaid program that covers members who meet eligibility requirements, regardless of their citizenship status, for the 2025-2027 biennium. The costs for this program have skyrocketed since 2021, when its budget was capped at $100 million.

In the same biennium, Oregon expects to spend approximately $717 million for the Department of State Police. Just last week the governor said she would send Oregon State Police to assist Portland Police in managing the protests outside the ICE facility in Portland. Since June, Portland Police have made 50 arrests at the facility, while federal law enforcement has made nearly 200 arrests.

“Budgets reveal priorities,” said House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville). “When Oregonians see these numbers side by side, they deserve to ask whether state spending aligns with our most urgent needs — keeping communities safe, addressing addiction, and supporting working families. Accountability isn’t about partisanship; it’s about ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and reflect Oregon’s shared values.”