Statement for the Record to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services on DACA and Health Coverage

Executive Summary

NHeLP submitted a statement for the record to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services on the importance of ending the unjustifiable exclusion of DACA recipients from eligibility to coverage under certain CMS health insurance affordability programs. The statement addresses how the proposed changes in the CMS NPRM “Clarifying Eligibility for a Qualified Health Plan Through an Exchange, Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit, Cost-Sharing Reductions, a Basic Health Program, and for Some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs” would greatly benefit the health outcomes and financial well-being of DACA recipients, while reducing overall health care system costs and strain on the health care safety net. Ultimately, including DACA recipients in the definition of “lawfully present” applicable to eligibility for CMS insurance affordability programs better aligns HHS policy with the goals of the ACA and DACA.

“Clarifying Eligibility for a Qualified Health Plan Through an Exchange, Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit, Cost-Sharing Reductions, a Basic Health Program, and for Some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs,”