Federal appeals court grants Biden administration permission to extend Obamacare to DACA recipients, overturning previous ruling.
At a Glance
- Appeals court allows Biden administration to open Affordable Care Act to DACA recipients
- Decision overturns previous district court ruling that blocked the extension
- 18 states challenge the move, citing potential increased costs for taxpayers
- Estimated 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients might enroll in coverage
- Legal battles continue in federal courts over the expansion
Court Allows Obamacare Expansion for DACA Recipients
In a significant development, a federal appeals court has granted the Biden administration permission to expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, to include individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This decision overturns a previous ruling by a district court that had halted the extension, marking a potential shift in healthcare access for thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit granted a stay on the district court’s order, effectively allowing DACA recipients to enroll in Obamacare plans nationwide. This move comes despite resistance from 18 states that argue the expansion could impose additional costs on taxpayers and encourage more people to remain in the U.S. without permanent legal status.
A federal judge sided with Florida and 18 other states that challenged a Biden administration rule to allow Dreamers to access the Affordable Care Act, but an appeals court has issued a stay.https://t.co/rj3Yjo6e8q pic.twitter.com/dug7rdwCbI
— WUSF (@wusf) December 19, 2024
Enrollment Numbers and Potential Impact
The federal government estimates that approximately 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients might sign up for coverage under this expansion. However, current enrollment numbers for the ACA are lagging compared to previous years. New enrollments on healthcare.gov are at 730,000, significantly lower than the 1.5 million recorded in the previous year.
To address this decline, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have extended the enrollment deadline to December 18 for coverage starting January 1, and January 15 for coverage beginning February 1. This extension aims to provide more time for individuals, including newly eligible DACA recipients, to enroll in health insurance plans.
Legal Challenges and State Opposition
The Biden administration’s rule, which considers DACA recipients “lawfully present” for ACA enrollment purposes, has faced significant legal challenges. A group of 18 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, filed a lawsuit arguing that the expansion would cause administrative burdens and potentially encourage illegal immigration.
The original case was filed in North Dakota, with District Judge Daniel Traynor initially ruling in favor of the plaintiff states and issuing a preliminary injunction to prevent the implementation of the rule. However, the recent appeals court decision has temporarily lifted this injunction, allowing the expansion to proceed while the case continues to be reviewed in federal courts.
Potential Costs and Historical Context
Cost estimates for enrolling DACA recipients in Obamacare vary widely. Some projections suggest that providing coverage to about 100,000 DACA recipients could cost American taxpayers approximately $300 million annually. Other estimates indicate a potential $2.8 billion annual financial burden, raising concerns among opponents of the expansion.
This development is particularly noteworthy given the historical context of the ACA. In 2012, then-President Barack Obama assured Americans that illegal aliens would not be eligible for Obamacare, a statement that was publicly challenged by Representative Joe Wilson. The current expansion to DACA recipients represents a significant shift from that initial position.
As the legal process continues in federal courts, the case, titled Kansas v. United States, No. 1:24-cv-00150, in the U.S. District Court of the District of North Dakota, remains a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and healthcare access in the United States.
Sources:
- Court Lets DACA Recipients Access Obamacare Plans
- Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag After Trump Election, Legal Challenges
- Appellate Court Allows Joe Biden to Open Obamacare to DACA Illegal Aliens
