The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed a rule that would extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and allow them to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The move could extend coverage to an estimated 129,000 DACA recipients. The proposed rule is expected to be finalized later in the year following a public comment period.
On April 22, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule aimed at extending Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to qualified individuals in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The proposed rule would also allow DACA recipients to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and qualify for Marketplace subsidies based on income. This is a significant development, as it would extend healthcare coverage to an estimated 129,000 DACA recipients in the United States.
Background
President Barack Obama first announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012. The program provides temporary protection from deportation and work permits to young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. The program has been a source of controversy in recent years, with the Trump administration seeking to end the program in 2017. However, the Supreme Court blocked the move in 2020, allowing the program to continue.
Despite the program’s continued existence, DACA recipients have faced significant barriers to accessing healthcare coverage. Under current rules, DACA recipients are not eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, and they cannot purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This has left many DACA recipients without access to affordable healthcare coverage, which is particularly concerning given that many DACA recipients work in essential industries that put them at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Proposed Rule
The proposed rule from CMS seeks to address this issue by extending Medicaid and CHIP coverage to qualified individuals in the DACA program. Specifically, the rule would allow DACA recipients to access Medicaid and CHIP coverage in states that cover legally residing immigrant children and pregnant women. This is a significant development as it would provide access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, including preventive care, primary care, and specialty care, to an estimated 129,000 DACA recipients.
The proposed rule would also allow DACA recipients to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This is a significant development, as it would provide DACA recipients with access to affordable coverage options, including subsidized coverage based on income. Additionally, DACA recipients would be eligible to apply for the Basic Health Program in states that participate. Currently, only Minnesota and New York have implemented the Basic Health Program.
The proposed rule is consistent with the Biden administration’s commitment to expanding access to healthcare coverage for all Americans, including immigrants. In announcing the proposed rule, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure stated that “everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care, regardless of their immigration status.” The proposed rule is expected to be finalized later this year, following a public comment period.
Implications
The proposed rule from CMS has significant implications for DACA recipients and the broader healthcare system. By extending Medicaid and CHIP coverage to qualified DACA recipients, the rule would provide access to comprehensive healthcare coverage to an estimated 129,000 individuals. Given the elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure that many DACA recipients who work in vital industries face, this is especially crucial.
The proposed rule would also allow DACA recipients to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, providing access to affordable coverage options, including subsidized coverage based on income. This is an important development as it would address a significant gap in the current healthcare system, which has left many DACA recipients without access to affordable coverage.
Additionally, the proposed rule would be consistent with the Biden administration’s broader commitment to expanding access to healthcare coverage for all Americans, including immigrants. This is an important step in addressing health disparities and ensuring that all Americans can access the care they need to stay healthy.
