DACA and Healthcare

COMMITTEE FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IMPLEMENTATION (CIRI) www.adminrelief.org

Restricted Access to Federal Health Insurance Programs The Affordable Care Act (ACA) On August 28, 2012 the Obama administration released a policy announcement stating that DACA recipients cannot apply for federal health insurance programs under the ACA, or for Medicaid or CHIP in some states. DACA recipients cannot buy health insurance in the ACA’s health insurance marketplace, even at full cost. DACA recipients are ineligible for federal tax credits to make private health insurance affordable in the marketplace. DACA recipients are exempt from the individual mandate (i.e., not required to pay a fine when they file taxes for lacking health insurance) Note this does not affect people who received deferred action through other processes. 12/29/2017

Healthcare Options for DACA Recipients DACA eligible people have access to the same health care and health insurance options available for undocumented immigrants. Can buy full-priced health insurance outside of the marketplace, if available. Can get health insurance through their employer, if it is available. Can get health care at community health centers and clinics, at a sliding scale rate based on income. Can get health care at hospitals and private doctors offices, at full price or on a sliding scale based on income. 12/29/2017

Healthcare Options for DACA Recipients DACA eligible people may have access to Medicaid or CHIP in their state ONLY IF the state has a separate, state-funded program or has elected the federal option to provide prenatal care regardless of a woman’s immigration status. High-risk insurance pool (the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan or PCIP) ONLY IF the state has a separate state-funded program. Healthcare access varies by state. Let’s look at California as an example 12/29/2017

Healthcare Options for DACA Recipients in California Medi-Cal is no-cost or low-cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, medications, dental services and vision. Medi-Cal has traditionally been available only to children, parents, people with disabilities, seniors, or pregnant women. But Medi-Cal is now available to childless adults. If they meet the other eligibility requirements, people with deferred action are eligible for “full-scope” Medi- Cal under CA law The adult income eligibility level for Medi-Cal is <138% FPL, or less than $33,000/year for a family of 4 12/29/2017

Resources NILC’s “Exclusion of Youth Granted ‘Deffered Action for Childhood Arrivals’ from Affordable Health Care” https://www.nilc.org/acadacafaq.html 12/29/2017