LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — As Nevada Health Link begins open enrollment this year, officials are welcoming “Dreamers” and encouraging them to apply for affordable health care plans.
A Biden administration decision announced in May opened eligibility to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) nationwide.
“It’s a very important ruling because this is the first time that DACA recipients will be able to participate in the exchange nationwide,” Rosa Alejandre, Navigator Program Manager at Nevada Health Link, said on Friday.
“So, we have over 11,000 DACA recipients here in Nevada and this will be the first time the opportunity to get affordable health insurance and dental coverage, and possibly even financial assistance to help with those monthly premiums.
A lawsuit filed in September challenges DACA eligibility, but as open enrollment begins, Alejandre said Dreamers are encouraged to apply — and adjust later if the lawsuit succeeds.
“We ask them to please make sure that they check us out between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15 so they can get covered,” she said.