On April 24, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking that would expand access to health care for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
If finalized, the rule would allow DACA recipients to be eligible for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Currently, exclusions restrict DACA recipients from receiving health care coverage under these programs.
Under this proposal, DACA recipients would qualify for a special enrollment period during the 60 days following the effective date of the final rule. Enrollees would need to meet all other eligibility requirements to qualify for coverage.
This proposed rule could expand health care coverage to approximately 129,000 currently uninsured DACA recipients, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
In a statement, the association applauded the administration’s step to ensure that DACA recipients have access to vital health care services.
Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at rnelb@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
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