Final Rule Allows Dreamers to Access ACA Marketplace Health Plans

The Biden administration finalized a rule that will allow recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to receive healthcare under the Affordable Care Act.

More than 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, are anticipated to enroll in the ACA Marketplace and the Basic Health Program (BHP). Reuters reports that Dreamers were previously not allowed to enroll in ACA plans, but were permitted to receive health insurance from an employer or buy private insurance.

Mario Montoya, consultant for Arizona-based Dreamer advocacy group Aliento, told KTAR that the group would like to see a statewide campaign to inform and enroll the 21,000 Dreamers in Arizona about the expansion of their coverage. He also noted that the rule failed to include Dreamer eligibility for Medicaid or funding under the CHIP and Science Act.

In a Health and Human Services press release, Secretary Xavier Becerra celebrated the rule as an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of a marginalized population. The uninsured, regardless of immigration status, are less likely to receive preventative screenings and are much more likely to delay necessary medical care, which leads to high out-of-pocket costs and medical debt.

HHS is committed to making health coverage accessible for people – DACA recipients – Dreamers – who have worked hard to live the American Dream. Dreamers are our neighbors and friends; they are students, teachers, social workers, doctors, and nurses. More importantly, they are fellow Americans. More than one third of DACA recipients currently do not have health insurance, so making them eligible to enroll in coverage will improve their health and wellbeing, and help the overall economy.