Madmallard
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that New York State would use its share of Medicaid money to insure DACA recipients if the federal government terminates the program.
The Deferred Action Childhood Arrival program granted legal status to some 42,000 New York residents, allowing them to legally work in the state and receive Medicaid. The possible end to the program in March had many health insurance and immigrant advocates concerned that, in addition to losing their legal immigration status and possibly their right to work, they would also lose their health insurance.
Many organizations petitioned the Cuomo administration to offer Medicaid even if it meant the state would have to pay for the insurance without a federal match.
"The federal government's failure to take action to protect DACA recipients is appalling, un-American, unjust and puts hundreds of thousands of children at risk,” Cuomo, a rumored 2020 candidate, said in a press release. “Here in New York we will do everything in our power to protect DACA recipients and ensure they receive health care. As Washington holds DACA recipients hostage for funding for a wall, we will not allow vitriol and dysfunction to put lives at risk."
There is no estimate on how many kids will take advantage of Cuomo’s offer, but the costs should be relatively small given DACA recipients tend to be young and healthy.
“Gov. Cuomo is showing extraordinary leadership by making this move to protect really vulnerable people,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York. “Kudos to him to be brave enough to say we care about these young people, who are extraordinary assets to our society and deserve affordable quality coverage like everyone else so they can go to school go to their job and benefit the economy.”
Cuomo to use Medicaid program to insure DACA recipients if feds kill program
The Deferred Action Childhood Arrival program granted legal status to some 42,000 New York residents, allowing them to legally work in the state and receive Medicaid. The possible end to the program in March had many health insurance and immigrant advocates concerned that, in addition to losing their legal immigration status and possibly their right to work, they would also lose their health insurance.
Many organizations petitioned the Cuomo administration to offer Medicaid even if it meant the state would have to pay for the insurance without a federal match.
"The federal government's failure to take action to protect DACA recipients is appalling, un-American, unjust and puts hundreds of thousands of children at risk,” Cuomo, a rumored 2020 candidate, said in a press release. “Here in New York we will do everything in our power to protect DACA recipients and ensure they receive health care. As Washington holds DACA recipients hostage for funding for a wall, we will not allow vitriol and dysfunction to put lives at risk."
There is no estimate on how many kids will take advantage of Cuomo’s offer, but the costs should be relatively small given DACA recipients tend to be young and healthy.
“Gov. Cuomo is showing extraordinary leadership by making this move to protect really vulnerable people,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York. “Kudos to him to be brave enough to say we care about these young people, who are extraordinary assets to our society and deserve affordable quality coverage like everyone else so they can go to school go to their job and benefit the economy.”
Cuomo to use Medicaid program to insure DACA recipients if feds kill program
