High Uninsured Rates Among DACA Recipients
When Camila Bortolleto was 9 years old, her parents brought her from Brazil to the U.S. Her parents are undocumented, but in 2013, she was approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allowed her to get a job and, with it, job-based health insurance.
However, when she left her job at a nonprofit in June, she lost her health insurance and was left with no other options. As a DACA recipient, she was barred from receiving government-funded health insurance.
New Opportunities for Health Insurance
That changed on Friday, when tens of thousands of DACA recipients became eligible to sign up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the first time. The change marks a pivotal moment for the more than 535,000 active DACA recipients in the U.S.
The lack of access to government-funded health insurance has led to high rates of uninsured among DACA recipients, sometimes referred to as "Dreamers."
Access to Subsidies and HealthCare.gov
In May, the Biden administration finalized a rule that allows DACA recipients to apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov, as well as state-based marketplaces, starting November 1. It also lets them access subsidies that lower the cost of monthly premiums.
Bortolleto plans to sign up for government-funded health insurance as early as Friday. She said she plans to take advantage of the new opportunities to access affordable health insurance while she looks for a new job.
High Uninsured Rates
DACA recipients face significant barriers in accessing health insurance. Without access to government-funded programs, insurance options are extremely limited for Dreamers who didn’t get coverage through their jobs, said Drishti Pillai, director of immigrant health policy at KFF, a nonprofit group that researches health policy issues.
Legal Challenges
In August, 19 states, including Kansas, filed a lawsuit to block the ACA rule from taking effect. The suit claims that expanding coverage to DACA recipients will create additional "resource burdens" and harm to taxpayers. However, the lawsuit has been met with criticism, with experts saying it is "just more anti-immigration politics."
Conclusion
The change in the ACA rules marks a significant step forward for DACA recipients, allowing them to access health insurance coverage that was previously denied. The move is expected to help more than 100,000 people get health insurance, according to a White House fact sheet. While there may be legal challenges ahead, the change is a crucial step in ensuring that DACA recipients have access to the healthcare they need.
FAQs
Q: What is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program?
A: DACA is an executive action signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2012 that protected undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation and gave them work authorization.
Q: What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
A: The ACA is a federal law that aims to increase healthcare access and affordability for millions of Americans.
Q: Why are DACA recipients barred from receiving government-funded health insurance?
A: DACA recipients are barred from receiving government-funded health insurance because they are undocumented immigrants, and the programs are only available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
Q: How many DACA recipients are there in the U.S.?
A: There are more than 535,000 active DACA recipients in the U.S.
Q: What are the legal challenges facing the ACA rule change?
A: The rule change is facing a lawsuit from 19 states, including Kansas, which claims that expanding coverage to DACA recipients will create additional "resource burdens" and harm to taxpayers.
