Health coverage for Dreamers could be available as soon as this fall

 

In 2021, President Biden demonstrated his commitment to Dreamers on his first day in office by urging the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate action to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It was a reversal of the previous administration’s decision to rescind the program. President Biden also issued an executive order to strengthen access to quality, affordable health care. Last week, the President announced a proposal to advance both of these goals by allowing DACA recipients to qualify, for the first time, for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans, financial assistance to purchase such plans, the Basic Health Program, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). National and state health advocates, along with more than 80 members of Congress, have long urged the administration to take this step, particularly as the country recovers from the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The original definitions of “lawfully present” for these programs did not include DACA recipients because, at the time, DACA status did not exist. The eligibility requirements for these health insurance programs are complicated.

More information: https://www.inmigracionyvisas.com/a5758-health-coverage-for-Dreamers-this-fall.html