In a shocking turn of events, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid have decided to extend their benefits to a very specific group of individuals: immigrants in the U.S. illegally who were brought here as children.
In response to this announcement, a spokesperson for the government stated, “We figure since we’re already giving these kids a free ride in America, we might as well throw in some healthcare too.”
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a way to fill a healthcare gap for a vulnerable population, while others argue that it rewards illegal behavior.
One concerned citizen, Mr. Jones, exclaimed, “What’s next? Are we going to start giving free healthcare to drug dealers and bank robbers too?”
Despite the controversy, many undocumented children are eagerly signing up for healthcare coverage. One young woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated, “It’s about time we get something for all the sneaking around and avoiding deportation we’ve had to do.”
In response to the influx of applications for healthcare coverage, ACA and Medicaid have announced that they will be adding a new question to their applications: “Are you an undocumented child brought to the U.S. illegally?” They are still working out the logistics of how to verify the answers.
Only time will tell if this decision will lead to better healthcare outcomes for this population or if it will lead to even more political maneuvering and debate. In the meantime, if you’re an undocumented child brought to the U.S. illegally, get ready to enjoy some free healthcare – and maybe dodge a few more immigration agents than usual.
