# Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Families Act of 2025 - Summary

## What This Bill Does

This bill aims to expand health insurance coverage for immigrants living in the United States by removing restrictions that currently prevent many from accessing federal health programs. Specifically, it would allow both lawfully present immigrants (such as green card holders and those with deferred action status) and undocumented immigrants to enroll in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and health insurance marketplaces. The bill essentially removes legal barriers that currently exclude many immigrants from these programs.

## Who Would Be Affected

The primary beneficiaries would be:
- **Lawfully present immigrants** (green card holders, visa holders, people with deferred action status)
- **Undocumented immigrants** seeking health insurance through marketplace exchanges
- **Families of immigrants** who may currently face eligibility restrictions
- **Children** in immigrant families who could gain CHIP coverage

The bill also protects immigrant sponsors from financial liability—meaning those who sponsor immigrants for legal status cannot be held responsible for the cost of health benefits provided.

## Key Changes

- **Medicaid and CHIP**: States would be required to cover all lawfully present immigrants regardless of immigration status category
- **Health Insurance Exchanges**: Undocumented immigrants could purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces
- **Deferred Action**: Individuals with approved or pending deferred action status would be treated as lawfully present for all health program purposes
- **Implementation Timeline**: Changes would take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law, with flexibility for states needing legislative changes