Can Central California DACA recipients enroll in Covered California? Here’s what we know
Covered California officials urge DACA recipients to enroll in a health plan before Friday’s midnight deadline.
“We are aware that there are fears and uncertainty about health care and the Affordable Care Act, particularly for our immigrant communities,” said Jessica Altman, executive director for Covered California.
A federal regulation under the Biden Administration to increase access to health coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients took effect last summer.
The final rule allowed Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, to offer health insurance plans to DACA recipients for the first time this open enrollment period. Altman said Covered California is monitoring legal challenges and potential changes from the federal government but assures DACA recipients they are still eligible for enrollment.
A federal judge in North Dakota blocked a Biden administration rule that allowed DACA recipients to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act in the 19 Republican-led states that filed the lawsuit. However, the rule is still in effect in other states, including California.
According to Altman, DACA recipients are eligible for all of the financial support made available to other enrollees.
Despite concerns about DACA recipients’ future eligibility, Altman said Covered California is allowing many recipients to access health insurance for the first time.
“If you enroll today, you can fill prescriptions, you can go to the doctor, you can get any of those health care services you may have been putting off,” Altman said.
Justin Preas, president and chief executive office for United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley, said, “one of the greatest barriers that anyone deals with trying to access health care is the affordability of it.”
United Health Centers served about 175,000 people in the Central Valley, many of them either on Medi-Cal or Covered California plans.
Altman said Covered California is committed to promptly informing enrollees and partners of any updates related to DACA recipients’ eligibility.
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM.
