Tens of thousands of uninsured people may qualify for health insurance under a new government policy announced on May 3, 2024. The Biden administration announced plans to expand government-subsidized health insurance for individuals brought to the U.S. illegally as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Previously, laws barred DACA recipients from accessing health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act.
This move could extend coverage to approximately 100,000 previously uninsured DACA holders. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this expansion. He noted that many DACA recipients currently lack health insurance, and uninsured individuals are less likely to seek preventative care. According to Reuters,
“DACA enrollees will have access to related financial assistance, such as tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket costs under the change, which will be effective Nov. 1, according to a White House fact sheet.”
The policy change, set to take effect in November, will consider household income and the option of obtaining health coverage from an employer in determining eligibility. The administration views this expansion as a step towards ensuring health care as a right for all Americans, including DACA recipients. According to the Final Rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
“Starting November 1, 2024, DACA recipients will be considered lawfully present for Marketplace and BHP coverage and, if they meet all other eligibility requirements, will be eligible to enroll in a QHP through the Marketplace with financial assistance such as APTC and CSRs or a BHP.”
The DACA program remains controversial, and the Biden administration is working to protect it through regulatory policy amidst ongoing legal challenges. The administration has faced criticism for not including a pathway to citizenship for DACA holders in recent immigration negotiations.
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If you’re concerned about your DACA status and the threat of deportation, it’s important to discuss your situation with a skilled and experienced DACA deportation defense lawyer today. To discuss your case with a qualified attorney, contact us today for more information. An attorney can sit with you and thoroughly assess your case so you can confidently take your next steps.
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Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
