Representatives Lee, Castro, Jayapal and Senators Booker, Durbin and Hirono Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, issued the following news release:

Washington, DC - Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) joined with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to finalize their proposed rule to expand health coverage for those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, crime victims, and immigrant children.

In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a regulation to make DACA recipients eligible for coverage under Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This rule also enhances coverage for other groups, including those approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status and children applying for humanitarian relief. If this rule is not soon finalized, individuals in need may not be able to fully benefit from the 2024 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which began on November 1, 2023.

"DACA recipients are also disproportionately uninsured and tend to experience higher barriers to health care - these trends all contribute to racial health disparities in the U.S. Youth approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status often have to wait years before receiving a status adjustment. Due to confusion around current rule implementation, access to health coverage has been delayed for many," wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers requested that the Biden Administration address the following questions:

The letter was also signed by 98 other House members and four Senators. To read the full letter, click here.

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