Biden Administration’s DACA Healthcare Expansion Approved by Federal Appeals Court Amid Controversy

Judge with gavel on wooden desk courtroom setting

Federal appeals court allows DACA recipients to enroll in Obamacare, overturning previous ruling and sparking controversy.

At a Glance

  • Federal appeals court approves Biden administration’s policy to allow DACA recipients to enroll in Obamacare
  • 18 states challenge the decision, citing potential economic implications and taxpayer burdens
  • Estimated 100,000 DACA recipients could enroll, potentially costing $300 million annually
  • Decision contradicts Obama’s 2012 assurance that illegal aliens would not be eligible for Obamacare
  • Case continues through federal judicial system, keeping the issue unresolved

Biden Administration’s DACA Healthcare Expansion Approved

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has granted a stay on a lower court’s order, effectively allowing recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to enroll in Obamacare. This decision overturns a previous ruling by District Judge Daniel Traynor, who had issued a preliminary injunction to prevent the Biden administration from implementing this controversial rule.

The Biden administration’s rule, announced in May by President Biden and Vice President Harris, considers DACA recipients “lawfully present” for Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment purposes. This move opens up nationwide Obamacare plans to individuals who were brought to the United States illegally as minors and are protected under the DACA program.

States Challenge the Expansion

The decision has not been without opposition. A coalition of 18 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, among others, has challenged the rule. These states argue that the expansion will cause administrative burdens and encourage more people to stay in the U.S. without permanent legal status. The case, titled Kansas v. United States, No. 1:24-cv-00150, is currently being heard in the U.S. District Court of the District of North Dakota.

Critics of the expansion point to potential economic implications and increased taxpayer burdens. Cost estimates suggest that enrolling approximately 100,000 DACA recipients in Obamacare could cost American taxpayers around $300 million annually. Some projections even suggest a potential $2.8 billion annual financial burden.

Contradicting Past Assurances

The current situation stands in stark contrast to assurances given by former President Obama in 2012. At that time, Obama stated that illegal aliens would not be eligible for Obamacare, a claim that was publicly challenged by Representative Joe Wilson. This reversal has fueled the ongoing debate about the scope and intent of the Affordable Care Act.

The federal government has estimated that around 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients might sign up for coverage, with 2,700 already enrolled in the states that filed the suit. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have extended the enrollment deadline to December 18 for coverage starting January 1, and January 15 for coverage starting February 1, potentially allowing more DACA recipients to enroll.

Ongoing Legal Battle

As the case continues through the federal judicial system, the legal dispute remains unresolved. The Biden administration argues that not granting a stay would disrupt open enrollment and incur costs for the federal government. Meanwhile, opponents of the rule continue to voice concerns about its long-term implications for immigration policy and healthcare funding.

This development comes at a time when overall new enrollments under the Affordable Care Act are projected to be a million less than last year’s record numbers. The intersection of immigration policy and healthcare access continues to be a contentious issue, with potential far-reaching consequences for both DACA recipients and American taxpayers.

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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