14 States Mobilize to Defend DACA Healthcare Rule

A coalition of fourteen Democratic-led states, led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, is mobilizing to defend a healthcare rule from the Biden administration that allows Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to access health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This effort comes in response to a lawsuit from Republican-led states challenging the rule, which has temporarily blocked its implementation. The Democratic attorneys general argue that without the rule, their states would face increased costs in providing medical care to uninsured immigrants. They assert that including DACA recipients in state exchanges can lower premiums for everyone due to a broader risk pool. The Democratic officials are concerned that the incoming Trump administration will not defend the rule effectively, given Trump's previous opposition to DACA. New Jersey's Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of protecting healthcare access for DACA recipients, who are vital to the state's community.