WASHINGTON — A number of Democratic lawmakers concerned about the outcome of the 2024 election filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. Deferred Action for Young Migration Beneficiaries of the program will actually be able to access the health insurance provided under the Affordable Care Act once they become eligible this year.
of The Biden administration released the final rule. The bill, which went into effect in May and is set to take effect Nov. 1, allows DACA recipients “to apply for insurance through HealthCare.gov or state-based marketplaces and may receive financial assistance to purchase quality health insurance.”
But the Department of Health and Human Services needs to put resources into outreach to ensure DACA recipients get the full benefits of the expansion as quickly as possible, according to Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Joaquin Castro of Texas, along with 86 other Democrats. letter The letter, addressed to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, was first provided to States Newsroom.
While applauding the recently finalized rule, the lawmakers noted that “for this expansion to be successful, HHS must ensure that all newly eligible individuals receive adequate information and support during the enrollment process.”
The letter was signed by 73 House members and 15 senators from across the U.S. The letter was dated Monday, and the lawmakers agreed to the final language and sent it to the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday.
Two Michigan lawmakers, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) and Rep. Shuri Thanedar (D-Detroit), signed the letter.
DACA recipients can start receiving health insurance benefits in December if they enroll by November 15, so lawmakers want to ensure recipients “can navigate the enrollment process smoothly and take full advantage of their new access to health care.”
Lawmakers pressed Becerra on the practical implementation of this imminent accessibility, including how the department plans to minimize registration barriers for groups that have historically faced difficulties in verifying their identities.
They also asked the Secretary to respond to what steps the Department will take to ensure beneficiaries are aware of the special enrollment period, what resources it will allocate for media outreach, how it will ensure that the Department shares information with this group, and how it will help prevent scams and fraudulent activities targeting beneficiaries throughout the enrollment period.
HHS did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
DACA’s future remains unclear
The letter comes as the future of DACA remains unclear.
Former President Donald J. Trump was formally nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Monday. Terminate the program During his first term.
DACA recipients Awaiting trial to determine the program’s legality after President Trump called for an end to it.
DACA — Obama-era programs The law, enacted in 2012, was meant to protect children who entered the country illegally from deportation, and the Biden administration said a final rule released in May would provide relief to more than 100,000 uninsured young people.
Representatives for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign did not respond to requests for comment on DACA on Tuesday.
