Federal judge blocks rule that would have given DACA recipients access to Affordable Care Act coverage

Photo of Judge Traynor courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Texas Tribune  reports that a federal judge yesterday issued a preliminary injunction blocking a Biden administration rule that would have granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.  Here is the ruling.

Texas and 18 other states sued the U.S. government following guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establishing a pathway for some DACA recipients to enroll in health insurance plans.  The states argued that by allowing DACA recipients to health benefits will make them want to stay in the country longer, causing states to spend more money on education, health care and law enforcement. 

A Trump appointee, U.S. District Judge Daniel M. Traynor halted the guidance from taking effect as the lawsuit proceeds, stating that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services does not have the authority to “circumvent congressional authority.”

KJ