Don’t tell Rep. Tom Tancredo, but the Colorado House just approved a bill to allow legal immigrants to receive Medicaid. Two years ago the legislature cut the benefits as a cost-saving device. Court challenges prevented the cuts from going into effect, but last month, the funds to continue providing the benefits ran out.

…lawmakers now say the cuts are no longer needed because money is available from the new tobacco tax. Several Republicans objected to the new plan, saying money from the tobacco tax will be stretched thin by Medicaid and other programs that were cut because of the budget crisis.

The bill now goes to the Colorado Senate for approval. More background is available here.