New rules expand access to health care for DACA recipients

Last week, President Joe Biden's administration finalized a rule, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which will grant thousands of uninsured people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) access to health care.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement, "HHS is committed to making health coverage accessible for people DACA recipients – Dreamers – who have worked hard to live the American Dream. Dreamers are our neighbors and friends; they are students, teachers, social workers, doctors, and nurses. More importantly, they are fellow Americans."

Under the new rule, 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients could enroll in health coverage through state-run Health Insurance Marketplace insurance plans provided under the Affordable Care Act.

There are about 600,000 DACA recipients who were brought into the country without authorization when they were children and are protected from deportation by Obama-era programs.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said about one-third of DACA recipients are uninsured and making them eligible "will improve their health and wellbeing, and help the overall economy."

Under Friday's ruling, DACA recipients will qualify to select a Marketplace health plan during a special enrollment window corresponds with the 2025 Open Enrollment Period or during the 60 days following the rule's November 1, 2024, effective date.

Those who apply for coverage in November 2024 can have their Marketplace coverage begin as early as December 1, 2024, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

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