The news around Capitol Hill is that a bipartisan group of senators is planning to propose a comprehensive immigration reform package that would make millions of illegal immigrants eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Currently, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for government health programs and are not allowed to purchase private insurance via the health insurance exchanges. However, senators have struck a deal that would create a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in the US. According to The Associated Press, the immigration reform will accomplish four goals:
- Creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here, contingent upon securing the border and better tracking of people here on visas.
- Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.
- Creating an effective employment verification system to ensure that employers do not hire illegal immigrants.
- Allowing more low-skill workers into the country and allowing employers to hire immigrants if they can demonstrate they couldn’t recruit a U.S. citizen; and establishing an agricultural worker program.
According to The Hill, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said the legalization of undocumented people would benefit hospitals now burdened by uncompensated care. It’s true. Hospitals and EDs would benefit from getting some reimbursement for the services they currently provide to undocumented immigrants. However, what will this increase in eligible beneficiaries mean for the ACA price tag? Also, how will these newly insured further affect the primary care shortage?
