Advocates Applaud HEAL Act Introduction, Urge Quick Passage

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Health Equity and Access under Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act today. The legislation repeals the "5-Year Bar" and other health care access barriers facing immigrant families. In response, the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition released the following statement by its director, Adriana Cadena:

"Every family should be able to get the health care they need and the peace of mind that comes with that security. For too long, arbitrary policies deny millions of families, especially families of color, access to care through Medicaid and CHIP. The HEAL Act eliminates barriers like the “five-year bar,” making people with DACA eligible for health coverage, and creating groundbreaking opportunities for states to improve health care access for people who are undocumented. We thank Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Barragán, and Sen. Booker for their leadership, and urge their colleagues in Congress to pass the HEAL Act now."