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EACH Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:06 PM
Summary of Bill S 1031
The EACH Act stands for Ensuring Access to Care for Everyone, and it aims to expand access to healthcare services for undocumented immigrants and other individuals who may not have legal status in the United States. The bill would allow these individuals to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, as well as receive Medicaid coverage for emergency services.
Proponents of the EACH Act argue that providing healthcare access to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, is not only a matter of basic human rights but also benefits public health by ensuring that everyone has access to necessary medical care. They also argue that providing preventive care to all individuals can help reduce overall healthcare costs in the long run. Opponents of the bill, however, argue that providing healthcare benefits to undocumented immigrants could encourage more individuals to come to the United States illegally in search of healthcare services. They also raise concerns about the potential strain on the healthcare system and taxpayer dollars. Overall, the EACH Act of 2023 is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to address the issue of healthcare access for undocumented immigrants. It remains to be seen whether this bill will gain enough support to pass in Congress and become law.
Congressional Summary of S 1031
Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act of 2023 or the EACH Act of 2023
This bill requires federal health care programs (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)) to provide coverage for abortion services and requires federal facilities to provide access to those services. Currently, coverage for such services under federal programs is generally only available in the case of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
Additionally, the bill repeals certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that permit states to prohibit coverage of abortion services in plans offered through a health insurance exchange in the state.
The bill also permits qualified health plans to use funds attributable to premium tax credits and reduced cost sharing assistance to pay for abortion services.
The bill is not subject to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, which generally prohibits the federal government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a generally applicable law.
