Biden Administration Extends Health Care Access to 100,000 DACA Recipients

The Biden administration has finalized a rule to extend health care coverage to approximately 100,000 immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, also known as "Dreamers." Starting in November, DACA recipients will be eligible to enroll in health plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces and may qualify for federal subsidies to reduce the cost of health care.

Thenew ruleaims to address the high uninsured rate among the 580,000 DACA recipients, who are currently three times more likely to lack health insurance compared to the general U.S. population. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this change, stating,"Dreamers are our neighbors and friends; they are students, teachers, social workers, doctors, and nurses. More significantly, they are fellow Americans.

Why this matters: This policy change has significant implications for the health and well-being of a large and vulnerable population, and it also highlights the ongoing debate around immigration reform and access to healthcare in the United States. The expansion ofhealth care to DACA recipients could set a precedent for future policy changes and have a ripple effect on the broader healthcare landscape.

Despite contributing billions in federal taxes, DACA beneficiaries have been barred from accessing federally funded health insurance since the program's inception in 2012. The Obama-era program has protected hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as young people from deportation and provided them with work permits.

The Biden administration's decision comes amid ongoing litigation over the DACA program, which has faced legal challenges and attempts to dismantle it. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration's efforts to end DACA, and in 2021, a federal judge in Texas ruled the program unlawful. The program's future remains uncertain, with ongoing litigation expected to eventually reach the Supreme Court again.

The new federal rule, set to go into effect on November 1, coincides with the ACA's open enrollment period for 2025 health insurance plans. Newly eligible DACA recipients will have a 60-day window to select a plan through the marketplace, with coverage beginning as early as December 1, 2024. The rule does not make DACA recipients eligible for Medicaid but provides them access to coverage through the ACA marketplaces and financial assistance programs.

The Biden administration estimates that the policy change will lead to 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients enrolling in health coverage. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure emphasized the administration's belief that "health care is a right, not a privilege, and that extends to DACA recipients who have built their lives in the United States."

The move to expand health care access to DACA recipients comes nearly a year after President Biden first announced his administration's plan to do so. While the original goal was to implement the federal rule by November 2023, senior administration officials declined to comment on the reason for the delay.

The DACA program's ongoing legal challenges notwithstanding, the Biden administration remains committed to supporting Dreamers. White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden stated that"the president will continue to fight"for DACA recipients, adding that"only Congress can provide them permanent status and a pathway to citizenship. "The expansion of health care access marks a significant step in improving the well-being of these young immigrants who have long contributed to American society.

Key Takeaways

• Biden admin finalizes rule to extend health care coverage to 100,000 DACA recipients.
• DACA recipients can enroll in ACA marketplaces and qualify for federal subsidies.
• This change addresses the high uninsured rate among DACA recipients, 3x the US average.
• The rule takes effect November 1, coinciding with ACA's open enrollment period.
• 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients expected to enroll in health coverage.