(Daily360.com) President Biden has expanded Obamacare to include about 100,000 immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors under the DACA program. The DACA program began under President Obama’s administration to protect specific immigrants without documents to remain in the U.S. soil. The program protects qualified immigrants from deportation and also gives them work authorizations.
Eligible DACA immigrants can apply for health coverage starting in November. Presidents Obama and Biden refer to these immigrants as “dreamers.” In the White House statement, the Biden administration requests Congress to create an option for dreamers to obtain U.S. citizenship. The statement emphasizes President Biden’s intention to help dreamers stay active in their communities by providing them “peace and opportunity.”
The White House fact sheet says DACA immigrants are important for the “strength and vitality” of their communities. Dreamers have previously been barred from applying for health insurance through the programs provided by the Affordable Care Act. These immigrants have been able to obtain insurance through the private market or through their employers.
The presidential campaign between President Biden and former President Trump has frequently covered the topic of illegal immigration. Trump and his campaign team have denounced the latest move by Biden to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants. A spokesperson said that Biden is making American tax paying citizens pay multiple bills for illegal immigrants and that it isn’t fair.
The Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, said that paying for health care costs of illegal immigrants will encourage them to seek preventative health services. He added that when people don’t go for preventative treatments and checkups, the costs become higher to treat the health conditions at a later time.
A Gallup poll found that Americans consider immigration to be the most pressing issue, and it has topped the list for three straight months. 48% of Republicans view the issue as being the most important issue, along with 8% of Democrats and 25% of independents.
Copyright 2024, Daily360.com
