By: Richard L. Smith
In a decisive move, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin is spearheading a coalition of 14 states to defend health insurance access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, also known as Dreamers, against legal challenges led by Kansas and other states.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, the coalition filed a motion to intervene as the incoming Trump Administration signals its intent to abandon defense of the federal rule granting Dreamers access to Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges.
“I have proudly led the fight for DACA for years, and now I’m proud to lead the effort ensuring that Dreamers have the same access to healthcare as everyone else,” said Attorney General Platkin.
“Dreamers are a critical part of the New Jersey community. Undermining their access to healthcare hurts them, their American children, and states like New Jersey. We will never back down from fighting for our Dreamers.”
Governor Phil Murphy echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of Dreamers to New Jersey’s cultural and economic fabric.
“New Jersey’s Dreamers make our state strong and vibrant and should not be deprived of access to basic health care services,” said Murphy.
DACA, established in 2012, allows eligible young people who arrived in the U.S. as children to avoid deportation and work lawfully under renewable two-year permits.
Despite this, DACA recipients were historically excluded from purchasing health insurance through ACA exchanges.
That changed in 2024, when the Biden Administration issued a rule expanding ACA eligibility to Dreamers. However, a coalition of states challenged the rule in federal court, temporarily blocking its implementation in certain jurisdictions. In New Jersey, the rule remains in effect, allowing Dreamers to access health insurance through the state-run ACA marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey.
The Attorney General’s office emphasized the critical role Dreamers play in New Jersey’s economy and communities.
According to their data, New Jersey is home to over 16,000 active DACA recipients, most of whom are employed or pursuing higher education. Nationwide, Dreamers contribute over $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes annually. Many also work in essential roles, including healthcare and the military, and support more than 250,000 U.S.-citizen children.
The Final Rule addresses longstanding disparities in healthcare access for DACA recipients, who are three times more likely to be uninsured than the general population.
As noted by New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, expanding health insurance access to Dreamers is not only a moral imperative but also sound public health policy.
By defending the rule, the coalition aims to protect not just the well-being of Dreamers but also the broader healthcare system.
According to the Attorney General’s office, reducing the uninsured population improves public health outcomes, lowers uncompensated care costs, and stabilizes ACA insurance pools, benefiting all enrollees.
New Jersey’s leadership in this case builds on its longstanding commitment to defending immigrants.