The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health Applauds Introduction of HEAL for Immigrant Women and Families Act

Today, Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Debra Haaland introduced the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women and Families Act. The HEAL for Immigrant Women and Families Act would allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented immigrants to buy plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces with access to financial assistance. The bill would also ensure all federally authorized immigrants who are otherwise eligible have access to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) without the current 5-year waiting period, and it would allow DACA recipients to enroll in both.

Ann Marie Benitez, senior director of government relations at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) issued the following statement:
“As the Trump administration seeks ways to instill fear in immigrant communities, there are leaders willing to say enough is enough—we need to protect the health and wellbeing of immigrants for the good of all. First, we saw the courts put a hold on President Trump’s public charge expansion. And today, we applaud Representatives Jayapal and Haaland, and the bill’s supporters, for moving forward this bold legislation to expand health insurance for everyone, regardless of their immigration status. We are proud to have been early supporters of this legislation. Last month, we came together with the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda to convene more than 300 people of color on Capitol Hill to ask lawmakers to support this visionary bill and pledge to hold them accountable. We are glad to see those efforts come to fruition in the introduction of model legislation that reflects our priorities and respects our lived experiences.”