LOS ANGELES, Calif. Today, LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis released the following statement after the Board of Supervisors approved her motion to support efforts to expand eligibility for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid plans for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, also known as Dreamers.
On April 13, 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced a plan to expand health coverage for DACA recipients. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will soon propose a rule amending the definition of “lawful presence” for purposes of Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage to include DACA recipients. This rule would provide lifesaving coverage to nearly 600,000 individuals who were brought to the United States as children.
“DACA recipients, or Dreamers, embody the value of our nation, through their work ethic, optimism, and dedication to this nation. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, lawyers, engineers, and many were essential workers serving on the frontlines of the pandemic,” said Supervisor Solis. “It is critical that we show Dreamers that we stand with them and I will always fight to preserve and expand their rights. Extending healthcare benefits to DACA recipients is not only humane and the right thing to do, but it is also common sense.”
The motion approved today instructs the Chief Executive Office, through the Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Branch, in collaboration with the County’s Department of Health Services, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the Department of Public Social Services, to submit a public comment in support of the proposed HHS rule expanding eligibility for the ACA and Medicaid plans for DACA recipients.
In addition, the motion instructs the departments mentioned above to send a five-signature letter to President Joseph R. Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in support of the proposed rule.
To read the full motion, click here.
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