May 3 :
In a delicate move ahead of the November elections, the White House announced on May 3 that President Joe Biden's administration will expand access to federally administered health care for certain immigrants who were brought to the United States as children without proper documentation.
It is anticipated that around 100,000 DACA participants who were previously uninsured will enrol in the Health Insurance Marketplace and Basic Health Programme, both established under the Affordable Care Act, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Biden served as vice president to previous president Barack Obama, during whose administration the DACA programme was established in 2012. The so-called "Dreamer" programme provides work permits and respite from deportation to immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as minors or who overstayed their visa.
According to Biden, "Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners" (unchangeable). "And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us."
A White House fact sheet states that as of November 1, DACA enrollees will be eligible for tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket expenditures, among other forms of associated financial support.
Concerning potential expenses to the federal government, the White House was slow to react.
As the Democratic candidate Joe Biden faces off against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, in the November U.S. presidential election, immigration has risen to the forefront of voters' minds. Biden has tried to strike a balance between stricter border security measures and programmes that help people seeking refuge or who are here illegally.
During his administration, Trump sought to terminate DACA, but the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his request. Despite the continuing legal battle, the programme continues to enrol about 530,000 participants.
On Thursday, Xavier Becerra, secretary of health and human services, stated that those without health insurance put off critical preventative or routine medical treatment, which ultimately results in wasteful expenses.
A White House fact sheet states that the regulation will allow DACA participants to access the Basic Health Programme, which is designed for low-income individuals. Contrary to original plans from 2023, the modification will not expand eligibility for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Programme, two additional programmes for low-income families.
