Immigration advocates are calling on the Biden administration to ensure that DACA recipients are aware of their eligibility to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A federal regulation that went into effect in May allows DACA recipients to enroll in subsidized private coverage starting on Nov. 1. However, advocates are concerned that the Health and Human Services (HHS) department is not allocating resources to promote this to DACA recipients.
It is estimated that about 100,000 immigrants protected by DACA will be eligible for ACA marketplace coverage. Rep. Joaquín Castro and Sen. Cory Booker, along with 86 other House and Senate members, have urged HHS to invest in outreach and assistance for eligible DACA members to ensure they take full advantage of this opportunity.
The future of DACA itself is uncertain as the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering a challenge to the program’s legality. Advocates are hoping that DACA recipients’ insurance coverage will outlast any potential decision against DACA.
Enrollment in the ACA marketplace has reached a record high of 21 million this year, including 5.2 million first-time enrollees. HHS has seen an increase in Black and Latino coverage through ACA marketplace plans after implementing outreach efforts and tax breaks.
United We Dream, an immigration advocacy group, has started its own promotions to inform DACA recipients about their eligibility for ACA coverage. Despite many DACA recipients being employed, a significant percentage still lack health insurance.
For DACA recipients like Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, having access to the ACA provides a sense of freedom and security in terms of healthcare coverage, especially in uncertain times.
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