Access to Affordable Healthcare Expanded for DACA Recipients
Tens of thousands of DACA recipients across the U.S. now have a historic opportunity to access affordable healthcare. Until January 15th, these young immigrants, who were brought to the U.S. as children, can enroll in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), thanks to a new federal rule implemented by the Biden administration.
This rule change, finalized in May, is expected to have a transformative impact on the health and well-being of DACA recipients. "Medical care should never depend on someone’s immigration status," stated Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy at United We Dream. "This new ACA rule will have an undeniably positive, life-changing impact for our communities."
More than 200 organizations have joined forces to raise awareness about this new opportunity. They are actively encouraging DACA recipients to enroll in ACA marketplaces and are working to ensure they have the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
"We’re working to make sure that as many DACA recipients as possible know about ACA insurance plans newly available to them and can make informed decisions about their care," said Raha Wala, National Immigration Law Center’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy.
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that approximately 100,000 DACA recipients and other immigrants could be eligible for these affordable health plans. Many may even qualify for financial assistance to lower the costs further.
The new access to healthcare comes at a time of heightened uncertainty for DACA recipients. The program, which shields eligible immigrants from deportation and allows them to work legally, hasn’t accepted new applicants since 2021 due to a court ruling.
While current recipients can renew their permits, the legal battle regarding the program’s future continues. This uncertainty adds to the worry of potential deportation for many DACA recipients, who had hoped for continued support and eventual pathway to citizenship under the previous administration. The reelection of Donald Trump, who has been critical of immigration, has further amplified their anxieties about the program’s long-term survival.
