A federal judge in North Dakota has blocked a Biden administration policy aimed at extending Obamacare coverage to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children, commonly known as Dreamers.
At a Glance
- Federal judge blocks Biden policy to extend ACA coverage to DACA recipients.
- 19 states filed lawsuit challenging the policy.
- Judge rules HHS likely exceeded its authority in redefining “lawfully present.”
- Decision affects an estimated 147,000 potential beneficiaries.
- Ruling highlights ongoing legal challenges in immigration and healthcare policy.
Court Ruling Halts Obamacare Expansion for Dreamers
In a significant setback for the Biden administration’s immigration and healthcare initiatives, U.S. District Judge Daniel M. Traynor has temporarily blocked a policy that would have allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to access federally subsidized health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The ruling, which affects 19 states, underscores the complex legal landscape surrounding immigration and healthcare policies in the United States.
The case, titled Kansas v. Ctrs. for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was brought by a coalition of 19 states, including Kansas, North Dakota, Florida, and Texas. These states challenged the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) final rule that sought to redefine the term “lawfully present” under the ACA, potentially making approximately 147,000 more individuals eligible for subsidized health insurance.
A federal judge in North Dakota has rejected a Biden administration policy to allow immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children — known as "Dreamers" — to enroll for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, known as "Obamacare." https://t.co/zFQyumki04
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 10, 2024
Judge’s Reasoning and Implications
Judge Traynor’s decision hinges on the interpretation of statutory authority and congressional intent. In his ruling, he stated that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not have the power to redefine terms in a way that circumvents congressional authority.
“The authority granted to CMS by the ACA is to ascertain whether an individual meets the requirements for lawful status. It by no means allows the agency to circumvent congressional authority and redefine the term ‘lawfully present,'” Judge Traynor wrote in his decision.
This ruling effectively prevents HHS from enforcing its new rule in the 19 states involved in the lawsuit. The judge’s decision underlines a critical point of contention: whether DACA recipients, who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, should be considered “lawfully present” for the purposes of healthcare coverage under the ACA.
Reactions and Next Steps
The court’s decision has elicited strong reactions from various stakeholders. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who led the lawsuit, hailed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law:
“This decision is a big win for the rule of law. Congress never intended that illegal aliens should receive Obamacare benefits. Indeed, two laws prohibit them from receiving such benefits. The Biden administration tried to break those laws. But we fought back and defeated the Biden Justice Department.”
On the other hand, the Biden administration and advocates for DACA recipients express disappointment with the ruling. A CMS spokesperson stated that the agency is reviewing the court’s decision but declined to comment further on the ongoing litigation.
The Department of Justice has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ruling or potential plans to appeal. As the legal battle continues, the future of healthcare access for DACA recipients remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing challenges in reconciling immigration policy with healthcare access in the United States.
Sources:
- Court Blocks Biden’s Expansion of Obamacare for DACA Recipients
- Federal court blocks ACA coverage for Dreamers
- Federal Judge Blocks Obamacare for Dreamers
