How the ACA may Help Nonprofits Serve Undocumented Immigrants

Florida’sSun Sentinel reports that the affordable Care Act (ACA)  is expected to enable Florida nonprofits tobetter meet the needs of undocumented immigrants, albeit indirectly.   US citizens among the working poor will nowhave expanded medical coverage, thereby freeing up nonprofits’ resources to improveservice to the uninsured.  Whatimmigrants are, and are not, covered by the ACA directly?  The article explains:

Pilloried in the political discourseas “illegals,” undocumented immigrants were left off the table whenthe Affordable Care Act was drafted. Those with “eligible immigrationstatus” and covered under the act, according to the Obamacare application,include visitors holding a student or work visa; immigrants afforded “temporary protection status;” members of a federally recognizedIndian tribe born in Canada; and those applying for asylum.

 

But immigrants with “deferredaction status” — those who came to the United States illegally as childrenbut afforded prosecutorial discretion for deportation — are not covered.Neither are the millions of adults who also crossed the border illegally.

Although undocumented immigrants nowreceive, and will continue to receive, treatment in hospital emergency rooms,such services are costly.  The enhancedability of nonprofit healthcare clinics to offer preventive care should betterserve patients and help reduce the strain on emergency room operations.

JRB