Biden Administration Wins Court Ruling for DACA Recipients’ Access to Affordable Care Act Coverage

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The Biden administration secures court victory, allowing DACA recipients access to Obamacare despite opposition from 18 states.

At a Glance

  • Federal appeals court grants stay, permitting DACA recipients to enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage
  • Biden administration estimates 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients might sign up for coverage
  • 18 states challenge the rule, citing concerns over increased taxpayer expenses
  • New enrollments under ACA projected to be a million less than last year’s record numbers
  • Decision contradicts earlier statements by Obama regarding undocumented individuals’ eligibility

Court Ruling Opens Obamacare to DACA Recipients

In a significant development for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has granted a stay on a district court order, effectively allowing DACA recipients to enroll in Obamacare. This ruling overturns a previous block set by District Judge Daniel Traynor, who had issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Biden administration from implementing this rule while the case was under review.

The Biden administration argues that not granting a stay would disrupt open enrollment and incur costs for the federal government. The federal government estimates that approximately 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients might sign up for coverage, with 2,700 already enrolled in the states that filed the suit.

State Opposition and Concerns

Despite this progress for DACA recipients, 18 states have expressed concern over the ruling. The plaintiff states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, argue that the rule will cause administrative burdens and encourage more people to stay in the U.S. without permanent legal status.

Cost estimates suggest that enrolling about 100,000 DACA recipients in Obamacare could cost American taxpayers approximately $300 million annually, with other estimates suggesting a potential $2.8 billion annual financial burden. These figures have heightened concerns among opponents of the ruling.

Enrollment Challenges and Extensions

As this legal battle unfolds, the Affordable Care Act faces its own challenges. New enrollments under the ACA are projected to be a million less than last year’s record numbers. Enrollment numbers on healthcare.gov are lower than last year, with new enrollments at 730,000 compared to 1.5 million the previous year.

In response to these lower numbers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has extended the enrollment deadline to December 18 for coverage starting January 1, and January 15 for coverage starting February 1. This extension aims to provide more time for individuals, including eligible DACA recipients, to enroll in health coverage.

Historical Context and Political Implications

The current situation marks a significant shift from previous policies. In 2012, then-President Obama assured Americans that illegal aliens would not be eligible for Obamacare. This statement was famously challenged by Rep. Joe Wilson during a joint session of Congress. The recent court ruling and the Biden administration’s efforts to include DACA recipients in ACA coverage represent a departure from these earlier assurances.

The DACA program, initially created by former President Obama via executive order, has protected over a million illegal aliens from deportation. The ongoing legal battles surrounding DACA and its recipients’ access to federal benefits continue to be a contentious issue in American politics and policy-making.

As the case, titled Kansas v. United States, No. 1:24-cv-00150, in the U.S. District Court of the District of North Dakota, continues to unfold, it remains a focal point in the broader debate over immigration policy and access to federal benefits for non-citizens in the United States.

Sources:

  1. Court Lets DACA Recipients Access Obamacare Plans
  2. Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag After Trump Election, Legal Challenges
  3. Appellate Court Allows Joe Biden to Open Obamacare to DACA Illegal Aliens

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