DACA Status Update: Healthcare Benefits and Beyond
TL/DR –
The Biden administration has recently allowed immigrants protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s subsidized health insurance marketplace. This move is estimated to impact around 100,000 DACA recipients and could result in approximately $300 million additional federal yearly expenses. However, this policy change is a temporary solution for the long-standing issue of the uncertain legal status of DACA recipients, which has been mired in legal challenges and requires a permanent solution from Congress.
Biden Administration Allows DACA Recipients to Access ACA Health Insurance Marketplace
Recently, the Biden administration permitted immigrants safeguarded by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to access the Affordable Care Act’s subsidized health insurance marketplace. This decision, while largely symbolic, increases healthcare accessibility to this group of immigrants, despite the fact that only a small portion of DACA recipients will be eligible.
Legal Status and Citizenship Pathway for DACA Recipients
Despite Congress’ lack of action on DACA, the Biden White House aims to provide a pathway to citizenship and legal status for these immigrants, who arrived in the U.S. as children. With approximately 570,000 current DACA recipients, the administration anticipates around 100,000 will sign up for the ACA. This access will have a minimal impact on the federal budget, resulting in roughly $300 million in additional annual federal expenses.
The Policy Change as a Temporary Fix for a Long-Standing Issue
The recent policy change addresses a long-time issue mired in legal battles due to lawmakers’ refusal to pass a lasting solution. Despite the legal hurdles faced since its commencement in 2012, DACA continues to protect immigrants who arrived illegally as children during a specific timeframe, granting them permission to live and work in the U.S. A 2021 court ruling by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen reinforced DACA’s illegality, permitting current enrollees to renew their status while barring new applicants.
Fate of DACA Recipients Now in Judicial Hands
The future of DACA recipients currently rests with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as Congress continues to neglect the program, despite having multiple opportunities to resolve the status of this population.
Healthcare as a Right: The Biden Administration’s Stance
The Biden administration justified the recent policy change by stating that health care is a right, not a privilege. This belief extends to DACA recipients, as stated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. While granting ACA access to DACA recipients is relatively affordable in terms of the federal budget, declaring health care as a right implies a societal obligation to provide it, thus raising questions about the government’s ability to offer free health care to all.
This practical step reduces barriers for DACA recipients in accessing health care and alleviates the financial strain on healthcare providers caring for the under- and uninsured. However, this state of uncertainty for these immigrants remains unsustainable. We invite you to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor or via email at letters@dallasnews.com.
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