In a letter from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dated August 28, 2012, it is stated that those who are granted DACA will still not be eligible to receive the benefits of Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The CMS claims that this ineligibility is a result of the reasons DHS have offered for implementing DACA as they do not pertain to eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP. While DACA provides temporary relief from removal and a two-year work authorization, these remain the only two benefits that DACA-eligible individuals will receive, as made clear by CMS. Public benefits, then, such as health insurance. The debate regarding health insurance has been rampant in the past few years; where do you stand in this debate in regard to immigration and DACA? Do you think those individuals who are granted DACA should have the security of knowing that, in case of a medical emergency, there will be affordable medical assistance offered to them? Share your thoughts here!

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To read the letter addressed to State Health Officials and the Medicaid Directors, please follow this link: http://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Downloads/SHO-12-002.pdf

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To read the amended interim final rule, please follow this link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-30/html/2012-21519.htm