As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to ensuring affordable, quality health care for all, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), finalized a rule that will expand access to health care for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Get the full story at CMS.gov
Here are the highlights:
Biden-Harris Administration’s Commitment
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Biden-Harris Administration, finalized a rule to expand healthcare access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
Inclusivity in Health Coverage
The rule ensures DACA recipients are no longer excluded from enrolling in Qualified Health Plans (QHP) through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace or Basic Health Programs (BHP).
Potential Impact
Approximately 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients could enroll in health coverage through Marketplaces or BHPs, improving their health and well-being while bolstering the economy.
Healthcare as a Right
The administration views healthcare as a right, not a privilege, extending it to DACA recipients who have built their lives in the United States, reducing barriers for them to obtain coverage.
Reducing Disparities
DACA recipients are currently three times more likely to be uninsured than the general population, emphasizing the need for this rule to address healthcare disparities.
Enrollment Period
Newly eligible individuals, including DACA recipients, can select health plans through the Marketplace during a special enrollment period following the rule’s effective date, aligning with the 2025 Open Enrollment Period for seamless enrollment.
Effective Date and Modifications
The rule becomes effective on November 1, 2024. Technical modifications to the definition of “lawfully present” aim to ensure accurate eligibility determinations and verification processes.
Education and Assistance
CMS commits to providing education and technical assistance to facilitate enrollment for immigrant and other communities affected by the rule.
For more information on the final rule, see the fact sheet at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/hhs-final-rule-clarifying-eligibility-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-recipients-and-certain.
To view the final rule, visit the Federal Register.
