USA announced a profit on the health coverage for more than 100,000 migrants. It will be effective from November 2024 and will reach all those who are protected under a federal program.
The measure was announced by the president Joe BidenThe last friday. “Today we are taking this historic step to guarantee that the beneficiaries of the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have equal access to medical attention through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) than its neighbors,” said the top American president.
United States: what is the new benefit for migrants like?
The announcement made by Biden aims extend health coverage to more than 100,000 “dreamers”: migrants who came to the United States as children and are protected under a federal program.
“Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers and small business owners and they deserve the health care promise like all of us“explained the President. Specifically, the new legislation aims to expand the rights of those beneficiaries of the DACA program.
Migrants can apply for this legislation if They have lived in the United States since 2007 and they arrived before turning 16. Also, the program requires studyhave graduate or be veterans of the armed forces and not having criminal record.
Through an official statement, Biden assured that the United States took a “historic step” to guarantee DACA beneficiaries “equal access to medical care through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) than their neighbors.” In this way, it is expected that the legislation will reach 100,000 dreamers.
Once the health plan comes into effect in November, migrants will be able to request financial help to acquire a health insurance. Specifically, migrants may be eligible for a Basic Health Program (BHP)intended for people with low incomeand for a Qualified Health Plan (QHP).
Joe Biden and migrants in the United States
This is not the first time that Joe Biden has announced, from the government, the application of aid programs for integration of migrants in the country. Its new regulations on medical plans are based on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, launched in 2012 during the presidency of Barack Obama of which Biden was vice president.
According to official data, since its launch, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved more than 800,000 requests and, currently, the regulations have some 580,000 beneficiaries. With the announcement, the United States Government seeks to provide a response to a widespread problem regarding the access of the population to the health systemin the middle of an election year.
daca demonstration usa.avif
Reuters
DACA aims to help migrants live and work legally in the United States. However, over more than a decade, the program had to face numerous judicial setbacksSpecially in 2017when the then president, the Republican donald trump– Biden’s rival in the presidential elections that will take place this year – wanted to put him end alleging that it was unconstitutional.
During September 2023 A Texas federal court judge found that DACA violates US immigration law, but did not order the Biden administration that closed nor did it stop processing renewal requests. Finally, That sentence was appealed.
To benefit from DACA, these migrants must live in the United States since 2007 and have arrived before turning 16 years old. To apply for it, the person must also certify that they are studying, are a graduate or a war veteran and that they do not have a criminal record.
Source: Ambito
