The Biden administration’s new directive to allow roughly 100,000 immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance next year has been met with both praise and criticism. President Biden had initially proposed allowing these migrants to sign up for Medicaid, but the finalized directive falls short of that goal. The move is expected to open up the marketplace to participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), many of whom are Latino, which may help boost the president’s appeal among Latino voters ahead of the election.
Health officials, including Xavier Becerra, the nation’s top health official, have highlighted the need for these migrants to have access to health coverage. Many of them have delayed getting care due to lack of coverage, resulting in higher costs and debts when they finally receive care. The administration’s action changes the definition of “lawfully present” so that DACA participants can legally enroll in the marketplace exchange. This initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of the “Dreamers” and strengthen the health and well-being of the nation and economy.
The administration’s decision not to expand eligibility for Medicaid for these migrants came after receiving over 20,000 comments on the proposal. The delay in finalizing the rule meant that the migrants were unable to enroll in the marketplace for coverage this year. While over 800,000 migrants will be eligible to enroll in marketplace coverage, it is predicted that only 100,000 will actually sign up due to various factors such as having coverage through their workplace or affordability issues. Other classes of immigrants, including asylum seekers and those with temporary protected status, are already eligible to purchase insurance through the marketplaces of the ACA.
DACA, the program that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation and allows them to work legally, has faced challenges in federal court from Republican-led states. The Biden administration’s directive provides a significant opportunity for DACA participants to access affordable health coverage through the ACA’s marketplaces. While the move is likely to be praised by advocates for immigrant rights and health care access, it may also face criticism from conservatives who have expressed concerns about the administration’s border and migrant policies. Overall, the new directive represents a step towards expanding health coverage for a vulnerable population and addressing the health care needs of DACA participants.
