Kat Abughazaleh defends healthcare access for undocumented immigrants, clashing with GOP-led Medicaid reforms.

Progressive House Candidate Pushes for Universal Coverage

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Democratic candidate for Illinois' ninth congressional district, ignited discussion on Thursday night by asserting that every person, including undocumented immigrants, deserves access to healthcare. Speaking on CNN’s “NewsNight,” Abughazaleh posed a direct challenge to critics, asking, “How is it controversial?”

Known for her bold stance and online activism, Abughazaleh’s campaign website includes the line, “I don’t have health insurance, and I’m running for Congress.” Her campaign underscores healthcare as a human right, with a focus on inclusivity and social equity. “I'm such a monster… How is it controversial that I don't want someone to die in the hospital if they can't afford it?” she said during the panel.

Her comments arrive at a politically tense moment as President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act moves through Congress. The legislation, heavily promoted by the president, consolidates key Republican priorities—tax reform, energy independence, border enforcement—and includes sweeping changes to Medicaid.

Clash Over Medicaid Reform

House Republicans have praised the bill’s Medicaid provisions, emphasizing the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse in the system. A central feature of the reform is the removal of undocumented immigrants and other ineligible individuals from Medicaid rolls. Supporters argue that it preserves resources for lawful citizens who are most in need.

Representative Erin Houchin, a Republican from Indiana and member of three key budget committees, defended the proposal. According to Houchin, the bill targets “duplicate enrollees, able-bodied individuals who refuse to work, and non-citizens currently receiving benefits unlawfully.” She maintains that the legislation does not cut coverage for the most vulnerable populations.

In sharp contrast, Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, labeling it a precursor to broader healthcare rollbacks. The party has made defense of Medicaid a central issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, arguing that the proposed changes disproportionately harm low-income and immigrant communities.

Abughazaleh has emerged as a vocal critic of the bill. “Your bill is going to cut coverage for 11 million Americans and it’ll still cost more than universal healthcare. Healthcare is a human right, you absolute ghouls,” she wrote in response to criticism of her platform.

Her candidacy represents a generational and ideological challenge to incumbent Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a veteran Democrat. A former staffer at the progressive media watchdog group Media Matters, Abughazaleh is leveraging her digital influence to drive a platform centered on progressive reforms and systemic change.

“Our leaders are out of touch,” she said, positioning herself as a voice for a younger, more radical wing of the Democratic Party. Her stance on healthcare, particularly for undocumented immigrants, is emblematic of a broader push among progressives to reframe healthcare access as a universal, non-negotiable right.

As the Medicaid debate unfolds and the White House pushes forward with its megabill, candidates like Abughazaleh are injecting new energy into traditional policy battles, framing moral and humanitarian appeals around government responsibility and public health priorities.