Representatives Jayapal, Lee, and Castro and Senators Booker, Durbin, and Hirono Urge Biden Administration to Expand Health Coverage to DACA Recipients

Washington DC – Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12), and Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), along with Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin. Sen. (D-IL), joined by Sen. Maisie Hirono (D-NJ), is calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program participants, crime victims, and immigrants. Urges the United States to finalize a proposed rule that would expand health coverage to children in the United States.

In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed regulations that would make DACA recipients eligible for insurance under Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The rule also enhances compensation for other groups, including those approved for Special Immigrant Youth (SIJ) status and children applying for humanitarian relief. If this rule is not finalized soon, individuals in need may not be able to fully benefit from the Affordable Care Act of 2024’s open enrollment period, which began on November 1, 2023. there is.

“DACA recipients also tend to be disproportionately uninsured and have higher barriers to health care. All of these trends contribute to racial health disparities in the United States. Special Immigrants Young people who have been approved for SIJ status often have to wait years before their status is adjusted.” Confusion over the implementation of the current rules has made it difficult for many to access health insurance. access is delayed. ” the lawmakers wrote.

Lawmakers urged the Biden administration to address the following questions:

1. What is preventing HHS from finalizing this rule? How can allies in Congress help address the barriers?
2. Once this rule is finalized, what resources will the Administration devote to ensuring that newly eligible people are aware of their health insurance options? The preamble states, “Implementation of these changes will be most effective during times when there is a lot of outreach and registration activity.” Now is the time to finalize this policy and expand health coverage.

The letter was also signed by 98 other House members and four senators.Click to read the full letter here.