The Biden administration has expanded availability for those in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The Biden administration has announced that expanded health insurance access will be rolling out for participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The announcement was made from the White House
This health insurance announcement for DACA program members addresses a sensitive issue and has arrived at a time when elections are approaching. This move will open up the ability to enroll in coverage under the Affordable Care Act for about 100,000 people who were previously insured, said statement from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The DACA program first launched under former President Barack Obama in 2012. At that time, Joe Biden was vice president. It is a program that offers “Dreamer” immigrants deportation relief and work permits when they were brought to the US illegally as children or in cases when children overstayed their visas.
Changing the health insurance availability for 100,000 people
DACA recipients were previously barred from plans sold under the Affordable Care Act and could not access the reduced cost coverage or subsidies available through those health insurance marketplaces. They could receive coverage through their employer or could purchase plans through private insurers. Some states and cities also fund programs to which they had access. That said, this left many people uninsured.
Aiming to close the coverage gap
“Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners,” said Biden in a statement about the health care access changes for those in the DACA program. “And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us.”
When DACA participants enroll in coverage through the Affordable Care Act, they will be able to access the same types of financial assistance Americans have been using when shopping in the health insurance marketplace. These include reduced out-of-pocket costs and tax credits. The change will become effective as of November 1, 2024, said a fact sheet from the White House, presumably to ensure that those in DACA will be able to take part in the open enrollment period for 2025 coverage.