More than 100,000 young immigrants protected by DACA will soon be eligible for federal health care coverage for the first time. The Biden administration will allow DACA recipients to enroll in a qualified health plan through the Affordable Care Act or become eligible for coverage through a basic health program. An estimated 580,000 young adults without legal immigration status have been able to work or study without fear of deportation under DACA, with the majority being born in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Despite contributing billions in federal taxes, DACA beneficiaries have been unable to access federally funded health insurance.
While many DACA recipients have health insurance through their jobs, over a quarter are estimated to be uninsured. By expanding the definition of “lawful presence” to include DACA recipients, they will now be able to receive coverage from a quality health plan and financial assistance. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that over 100,000 young immigrants who lack health insurance will now have the opportunity to access affordable care, improving their health and well-being and benefiting the nation as a whole. The rule, which goes into effect on November 1, does not make DACA recipients eligible for Medicaid but gives them coverage through the Affordable Care Act and its marketplaces.
President Biden announced his administration’s plan to expand health care coverage to DACA recipients about a year ago. The original plan aimed to implement the federal rule by November 2023, but it is now set to go into effect this year. While senior administration officials did not provide a reason for the delay, White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden emphasized that the president will continue to advocate for DACA recipients and that only Congress can provide them with permanent status and a pathway to citizenship. The program has faced legal challenges during the Trump administration and from Republican-led states, with new registrations being closed since July 2021 as lawsuits continue through the courts.
