Democratic States Move to Defend Biden Rule Expanding ACA Coverage for Dreamers

A coalition of 14 Democratic attorneys general seeks to uphold the Biden-era policy granting DACA recipients access to Affordable Care Act benefits as a legal challenge proceeds.

• The Biden administration's 2024 rule allows Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, also known as Dreamers, to access healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• A group of 19 Republican-led states has sued to block the rule, arguing it violates federal law and a 1996 welfare reform act.
• New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin leads 14 Democratic states in filing to defend the rule, citing concerns the incoming Trump administration will not support it in court.
• Proponents argue the rule benefits Dreamers and reduces state healthcare costs by lowering the number of uninsured residents, while opponents claim it unlawfully grants benefits to undocumented immigrants.
• A federal judge has temporarily blocked the rule in the Republican-led states involved in the lawsuit, leaving its future uncertain as the case progresses.

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