Big news, folks! The Biden administration has just announced some exciting plans to help immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These individuals, often called “Dreamers,” have been living in the U.S. for a long time, but they haven’t had access to government-subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – until now.
Around 100,000 DACA recipients who were previously uninsured will now have the opportunity to enroll in health coverage, thanks to the new plans from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is a big deal and fulfills a promise that the White House made last year to expand healthcare access for DACA holders.
Xavier Becerra, who heads the Department of Health and Human Services, shared some powerful words about this decision. He said that Dreamers are not just strangers – they are our neighbors, friends, teachers, doctors, and more. By making them eligible for health coverage, we can improve their health and well-being, which is good for them and good for our economy.
It turns out that many DACA recipients don’t have health insurance – in fact, about one-third of them are uninsured. And when people don’t have insurance, they’re less likely to go see a doctor for regular check-ups or preventative care. This can lead to bigger health problems down the road. So, by giving DACA holders access to health coverage, we’re helping them stay healthy and catch any health issues early.
Starting in November, DACA holders can apply for health coverage. The amount of money their household makes and whether they have the option to get health insurance through a job will determine if they qualify for coverage. This is great news for DACA recipients and shows that the Biden administration believes healthcare is a right for everyone, not just for some people.
Neera Tanden, who advises the White House on domestic policy, also spoke about this exciting development. She said that this new rule is a big step forward in making sure DACA recipients have access to the same healthcare benefits as everyone else. It’s all about making sure that everyone in America has access to the care they need to stay healthy and happy.
The DACA program has been around since 2012, but it’s been the subject of a lot of debate and legal battles. The Biden administration wants to protect DACA from any more legal challenges by making it an official part of government policy. This is an important step in ensuring that Dreamers can continue to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Some people have criticized the Biden administration for not doing more to help DACA recipients, especially when it comes to giving them a pathway to becoming citizens. Earlier this year, there were talks in Congress about immigration reform, but they didn’t lead to any concrete changes for DACA holders. Democrats say it’s because Republicans refused to support a plan that would allow DACA recipients to become citizens, even though many of them have been living in the U.S. for most of their lives.
Overall, the decision to expand healthcare access for DACA holders is a big win for these individuals and for our country as a whole. It shows that the Biden administration is committed to making sure that everyone – regardless of their immigration status – has access to the healthcare they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. And that’s something we can all celebrate.
