Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has announced that the state, along with 13 others, is stepping in to defend healthcare access for DACA recipients, known as Dreamers. This action follows a challenge led by Kansas against a rule introduced by the Biden Administration last year. The rule aims to expand healthcare access under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to Dreamers.
The coalition of states opposing the rule's challenge highlights potential harm if courts eliminate Dreamers' ACA access and asserts their right to intervene where federal efforts may falter. "Oregon has long been a national leader in our work to expand access to health care," stated Attorney General Rayfield. "Today’s motion is an important step to protect our advancements and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all Oregonians."
DACA was established in 2012 by President Barack Obama, allowing certain young immigrants brought as children to avoid deportation if they meet specific criteria. Previously unable to enroll in ACA plans, DACA recipients gained eligibility on November 1, 2024, when they could apply through HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces.
A lawsuit filed in August 2024 sought to delay or eliminate this access but was only partially successful, leaving the rule intact in most states, including Oregon. DACA recipients are significant contributors economically and socially, paying billions in taxes and providing vital community services.
States with their own exchanges like Oregon might see benefits from including DACA recipients due to larger risk pools potentially lowering premiums. Other states joining Oregon's effort include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont.