A group of 80 Democrats is calling on the Biden administration to implement proposals to expand access to federal health benefits for those eligible for the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) program.
Senator Cory Booker (New Jersey), Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois), Senator Maisie Hirono (Hawaii), Rep. Joaquin Castro (Texas), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Washington) In a letter led by Democrats, they appealed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (CMS) Secretary Chiquita Brooks-Rashua called for accelerating the implementation of proposed rules to that effect introduced in April by the Biden administration.
“Despite living in the United States for most of their life and meeting the stringent and extensive requirements to receive deferment, DACA recipients who meet other program eligibility criteria are still eligible for federally funded health insurance. are not eligible for,” the lawmakers wrote.
“As a result, DACA recipients are three to five times as likely as the general population to be uninsured.”
Castro and Booker have led similar efforts before, writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra in November to advocate for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for DACA Recipients and Children’s Health Insurance. Asked for access to the program (CHIP).
Becerra and Brooks Lashull applauded the proposal when it was introduced in April.
“Every day, nearly 580,000 DACA recipients wake up to serve their communities, often serve in key roles, and make significant contributions to our country. I am entitled to it,” Becerra said at the time.
Under the proposed rule, DACA beneficiaries would be considered “legally present” in the United States and would be eligible for certain Medicaid and CHIP, Health Insurance Marketplace and Essential Health Programs (both benefits created by the ACA). gold) will be accessible.
Aliens in the United States must be legally present in the country in order to benefit from the ACA. Other deferment programs such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Mandatory Departure Delay (DED) are also covered by such medical effects.
DACA beneficiaries, also known as Dreamers, are illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors, enrolled in the program, received work permits, received a stay of deportation and, in some cases, early parole for international travel. .
In that sense, DACA offers benefits comparable to other programs, with the exception of access to major medical programs.
DACA beneficiaries are also excluded from most aspects of CHIP and Medicaid, unlike TPS and DED beneficiaries.
“In defining the eligibility of these people, HHS appropriately included deferred action recipients, consistent with long-standing federal policy on Social Security benefits and driver licenses under the REAL ID Act. When the DACA program was created, HHS excluded beneficiaries from health insurance.The time has long passed to reverse this exclusionary and harmful policy,” lawmakers wrote.
Lawmakers say these disparities spill over into other aspects of DACA recipients’ lives.
“Since 80% of DACA recipients with medical insurance are insured through their employer, access to medical care is highly dependent on their ability to access employment opportunities, so DACA recipients are in danger of losing their
“As a result, DACA recipients often do not have the flexibility to pursue different career opportunities, such as starting a new business or participating in continuing education.”
And legislators also said that excluding DACA beneficiaries from these health care programs would have broader societal costs, partly because “the majority of DACA beneficiaries are medical and medical professionals. There is.
“Having access to health care during schooling is critical to the growth of the health workforce,” they said.
The lawmakers’ letter, included as a public comment on the proposed rule, calls for DACA beneficiaries to be able to enroll in health programs beginning November 1, 2023.
When this rule becomes effective, DACA recipients will have a special registration period of 60 days from the effective date of the final rule.
— updated at 5:44 p.m.
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