Booker, Castro, Jayapal Lead 83 Members Calling on Biden Administration to Remove Barriers to Affordable Health Care for DACA Recipients

Press Release

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), led 83 colleagues in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to remove barriers that prevent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from accessing affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"[Current] regulation excludes a significant pool of young, healthy adults--the exact type of participants that Congress sought to encourage to secure and purchase health insurance under the ACA," the members wrote. "These barriers to health coverage force many individuals and families to go without the health care they need, including essential preventive services and life-saving treatments. They also exacerbate existing health inequities that all immigrant communities face and especially immigrants of color. Moreover, the current regulation leads to worse health outcomes for DACA recipients and their families by foreclosing access to health care, including unsubsidized purchases on ACA health insurance marketplace. We strongly encourage HHS to honor our country's promise of full integration and support of DACA recipients, including access to affordable health care through the ACA by rescinding this regulation. We anticipate your response within 30 days, and we thank you for your attention and prompt response."

Under current federal regulations, DACA recipients cannot obtain comprehensive health care coverage under Medicaid or CHIP, even in states that have opted to cover lawfully present children and pregnant people. DACA recipients also cannot receive federal premium tax credits to make private health insurance affordable in the ACA marketplace or purchase marketplace health insurance at full cost using their own funds.

The letter is supported by 356 organizations, including the Center for Law and Social Policy National Immigration Law Center, United We Dream, Unidos US, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, Catholic Health Association, Move On, Planned Parenthood, SEIU and Sojourners. The complete list of supporting organizations can be found here. 

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