Washington, D.C. – December 10, 2024 – On December 9, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota granted a preliminary injunction in the case of Kansas v. United States. This decision temporarily blocks the Final Rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which expands insurance coverage eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in 19 states.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and other patient groups representing millions of individuals with serious diseases and health conditions filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in October urging the Court to deny a motion for a stay. The groups argued that the Final Rule aligns with Congress’s intent in passing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because it will improve patient outcomes and public health and reduce uncompensated care costs by decreasing the number of uninsured individuals.
The following is a statement from Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN:
“We are deeply disappointed by the Court’s decision to grant the preliminary injunction, temporarily preventing DACA recipients from accessing health insurance through the ACA marketplaces in 19 states, including Texas and Florida, where many DACA recipients live. However, we will continue to monitor the litigation and advocate for DACA recipients if the decision is appealed.
“Approximately 34% of DACA recipients lack health insurance coverage even though they work and pay taxes that support the ACA. Before the injunction, the Final Rule was estimated to allow approximately 100,000 DACA recipients to get health insurance through ACA marketplaces.
“Having comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving diseases like cancer. It promotes preventive care and earlier diagnoses, making treatment less expensive and more effective while helping create a healthier, more productive workforce. Only when all individuals have a fair and just opportunity to get and stay healthy can we achieve our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
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