President Joe Biden’s administration will give certain illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children access to federally administered health insurance, the White House announced on Friday, addressing a contentious topic ahead of the November elections.
The move is expected to result in an estimated 100,000 previously uninsured participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Basic Health Program, both established under the Affordable Care Act, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The DACA program was established in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, when Biden was Vice President. The program provides deportation reprieve and work permits to “Dreamer” immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children or overstayed their visas.
Previously, DACA beneficiaries were not permitted to enroll in the reduced-cost plans, popularly known as Obamacare, but they could obtain health insurance through an employment, purchase private insurance, or, in some cases, access programs supported by states and cities.
“Dreamers are our loved ones, nurses, teachers, and small business owners,” Biden stated. “And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us.”
According to a White House information sheet, DACA enrollees will have access to associated financial support, including as tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket payments, once the change takes effect on November 1.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on potential expenses to the US government.
Immigration has emerged as a major issue for voters as they prepare for the November presidential election, which will match Democrat Joe Biden against Republican former President Donald Trump. Biden aims to strike a compromise between greater border security and rules that protect asylum seekers and those in the US illegally.
Trump, an immigration hardliner, attempted to eliminate DACA during his presidency but was rebuffed by the US Supreme Court. The program, with approximately 530,000 participants, is still facing legal challenges.