North Palm Beach Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement applauding the new proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to grant eligibility for health care coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients:

“Despite the fact that they’ve become pillars of our communities, DACA recipients continue to find themselves caught in the wake of our nation’s broken immigration system,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “This proposed HHS rule would ensure Dreamers’ fundamental right to health care, expanding access to coverage and reducing disparities that plague underserved populations. DACA recipients ― no different than any other American ― deserve to have the best chance at the American Dream. While there is more work to be done to repair our immigration system, today’s announcement comes at a clear benefit to Florida’s over 23,000 DACA recipients.”

“DACA recipients are our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. The United States is their home, but for too long they have been denied the basic human right to health care. I applaud this new proposed rule from Secretary Becerra and HHS to allow DACA recipients to purchase qualified health insurance coverage. This is a cause I have long championed, including introducing the HEAL Act along with Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). This is a long overdue step toward immigrant justice, and the first immigrant-focused action the administration has taken from our Progressive Caucus Executive Action Agenda, issued just last month,” said Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.

“The Biden administration has heeded the call of immigrant communities and movements, and understands that it is past time to end the days when almost 600,000 DACA recipients without employer coverage are forced to pay exorbitant costs out of pocket for health care, or go without lifesaving medical treatment because they can’t afford it. In the richest country in the world, no one should be denied access to the health care system simply because of their immigration status — and especially those who have known no other home but the United States. I look forward to seeing this rule finalized. We will continue the fight for health care for all and for a roadmap to citizenship for every undocumented member of our communities,” added Representative Jayapal.

Original source can be found here.