Health Equity & Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women & Families Act (2014)

Today, Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) will introduce the HEAL Immigrant Women & Families Act in the U.S. Congress.

The HEAL Immigrant Women and Families Act would remove political interference so immigrants  are able to access the health care their tax dollars support. Further, by restoring access to coverage and allowing immigrants to receive the health care—including the sexual, reproductive and maternal  services—they need, this bill will create healthier communities and a stronger economy. The HEAL Immigrant Women and Families Act restores access to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for all lawfully present immigrants who are otherwise eligible, by eliminating the five-year bar on enrollment and the outdated, restrictive list of “qualified” immigrants, both established by the 1996 welfare law. Further, the bill specifically enables lawfully present young people (DREAMers) granted status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to participate fully in the Affordable Care Act—by allowing them to buy coverage on the health exchanges, obtain subsidies designed to make coverage affordable, and access care through the Basic Health Program—and to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP if they are otherwise eligible.

The Center for HIV Law and Policy endorsed this important bill.