Last October 4, 2019, Friday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation requiring immigrant visas applications from being approved unless individuals can prove their ability to pay for health insurance. Individuals who fail to uphold this requirement will be denied entrance to the United States.
Under the new policy, immigrants will be declined entrance to the United States should they fail to get health insurance coverage within 30 days of entering the country. Those who enter the country are mandated to have enough financial resources to pay for emergency medical costs. The new ordinance will take effect on November 3, 2019, Sunday.
In a statement, President Trump said, “immigrants who enter this country should not further saddle our healthcare system, and subsequently American taxpayers, with higher costs,” notes CNN.
The newly signed proclamation will only apply to individuals and immigrants intending to gain immigrant visas and not those who are already in the United States, reports Time. Provisions of the decree state that the law excludes lawful permanent residents, those seeking asylum, refugees, and children. However, Trump’s proclamation will affect individuals and families who intend to bring their parents or spouses to the country.
Accepted insurance coverage and policies will only include those sponsored by employers and family coverage plans. In addition, unsubsidized individual health policies and short-term plans will also be accepted. Meanwhile, policies subsidized by the government, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, will not be part of the new measure.
The new declaration follows after Trump’s administration cut down on illegal immigrants in the country.
While the measure may be done in good faith, Doug Rand, a former official for the Obama administration, states that decree was “hastily written,” and had doubts on the measure taking effect on the agreed date, saying “it’s going to sow immense fear and confusion.”
