TAKE ACTION Today, May 12, 2021, the HEAL for Immigrant Families Act is being introduced to both houses of Congress. HEAL stands for Health Equity and Access Under the Law. Healthcare is a human right, and everyone needs access to it. While most American citizens have access to some form of healthcare, immigrants often get left out. With the current healthcare system the way it is, even lawful immigrants are blocked from health insurance.
Federal programs like Medicaid and Medicare are unavailable to immigrants for five years from the date they became lawfully present. They cannot get health insurance through federal programs and they cannot access the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for their children. (CHIP is a healthcare program for families that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but they cannot afford health insurance on their own.)
Without health insurance, the cost of routine check-ups and emergency medical procedures cost a lot more, contributing directly to large medical debt for immigrant families. Immigrants are forced to pay out of pocket for routine check-ups and medical procedures. Because of this system, many immigrants forgo necessary medical procedures and check-ups, which can negatively impact their health in the long-run. The current pandemic presents further risk and life-threatening outcomes.
WHAT DOES THE HEAL ACT DO?
The HEAL act removes barriers which prevent immigrants from accessing healthcare. Specifically, the bill would enable all federally authorized immigrants to access Medicaid and CHIP. The bill removes the restrictions which imposed the five-year ban, allowing immigrants to obtain healthcare services.
It also removes the barrier that prevents undocumented immigrants from accessing health insurance through Obamacare. This means that undocumented immigrants would be able to immediately purchase insurance. Eligibility would be available for everyone, regardless of their citizenship status.
The HEAL act includes provisions for DACA recipients. (DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The children covered by DACA are referred to as “Dreamers”). DACA recipients are children who were brought to the United States as children but were born in another country. The text of the act ensures access to affordable health insurance for Dreamers to ensure they will no longer be blocked from healthcare services.
Lastly, HEAL will reinstate Medicaid eligibility for COFA citizens. (COFA refers to citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau). Under a 1996 version of welfare law, they were barred from participating in the Medicaid program. This Act will allow them to access federal health insurance.
WHY SISTERLOVE SUPPORTS THE HEAL ACT
At SisterLove, we believe that everyone, regardless of immigration status, should have access to healthcare. Health insurance is often necessary for people to get care. The HEAL act moves us one step closer to having a more equitable healthcare system.
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TAKE ACTION
Use this form to support the passage of the HEAL Act