Biden Expands Access to Health Coverage for DACA Recipients

WASHINGTON—The Biden administration is set to announce on Friday a final rule that will expand access to affordable healthcare coverage for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will publish the final rule, which will remove the prohibition on DACA recipients’ eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage for the first time.

“HHS is committed to making health coverage accessible for DACA recipients—Dreamers—who have worked hard to live the American Dream,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

“More than one-third of DACA recipients currently do not have health insurance, so making them eligible to enroll in coverage will improve their health and wellbeing, and help the overall economy,” he added.

The DACA program was created by former President Barack Obama by executive order in 2012 after Congress repeatedly failed to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The program shields from deportation about 800,000 immigrants who arrived in the United States as children illegally.

The young individuals affected by DACA and the DREAM Act are commonly referred to as “Dreamers.”

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The new rule is projected to help more than 100,000 DACA recipients gain healthcare coverage, according to White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden.

“The president will continue to fight for Dreamers,” she told reporters on May 2 during a call.

“Only Congress can provide them with permanent status and a pathway to citizenship. Congress must act to ensure that Dreamers can remain here permanently.”

Most illegal immigrants are currently ineligible for federal health benefits. With the new rule change, DACA recipients can gain access to the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace or get coverage through a Basic Health Program.

However, there are ongoing legal challenges against the DACA program brought by Republican-led states.

Currently, most people with deferred action status are eligible for coverage under the ACA. However, those with deferred action status through the DACA program are not eligible for coverage. So the new rule specifically addresses this issue, Ms. Tanden said.

“Under this final rule, anyone with deferred action status, whether through the DACA program or otherwise, is treated as lawfully present for purposes of obtaining coverage under the ACA,” she said.

According to a White House fact sheet, DACA recipients will be able to apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces starting in November.

Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report.