Advocates for Youth applauds today’s reintroduction of the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act of 2023, a bill that seeks to help bridge access to health care for our most impacted communities. The HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023 would remove the five year waiting period that all federally authorized immigrants must currently endure to access Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It would also further 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. This ensures the right to accessible, affordable healthcare for all, regardless of how much money folks have or what their documentation status is. 

All young people need access to the full range of health care services – including reproductive and sexual healthcare – and deserve to live with agency and dignity. The HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023 brings us closer to ensuring im/migrant youth have the tools and services they need to lead healthy lives.