MICHIGAN – The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) has announced a major expansion in healthcare access for immigrant families in Michigan. Beginning August 1, 2024, the state will eliminate the five-year waiting period for lawfully residing children and pregnant people, allowing them to access Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) more immediately.
Elly Jordan, Training and Impact Supervising Attorney at MIRC, expressed enthusiasm about the policy change. “We are thrilled with this update to Michigan’s healthcare policy,” Jordan said. “Access to healthcare is crucial for all children and families, especially during their formative years. This change will significantly enhance the quality of life for many Michigan families.”
Michigan’s new policy aligns with those in 36 other states and Washington, D.C., which have already removed the waiting period for children, and 30 states and D.C. that have done so for pregnant individuals. Traditionally, lawfully present immigrants had to wait five years after obtaining qualified immigration status before they could enroll in Medicaid or CHIP. This requirement has been waived in Michigan under the Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) option since 2009, but the state only recently adopted this policy.
The policy shift is expected to improve healthcare coverage for a substantial number of families. Immigrant Michiganders are currently twice as likely to be uninsured compared to U.S.-born residents. The new policy will help bridge this gap, ensuring that children up to age 19 can now access CHIP, and individuals up to age 21 can access Medicaid. Pregnant individuals will also receive coverage, including a 12-month postpartum period.
The timing of the policy change is especially significant given recent confusion surrounding the federal public charge rule, which has led many immigrant families to avoid public benefits out of fear for their immigration status. National surveys have shown that many immigrant families have avoided public benefits due to misconceptions about their impact on future green card applications. The Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Michigan Campaign offers resources to clarify these issues.
Eligible individuals who wish to learn more about the expanded healthcare access can visit MIRC’s website at bit.ly/MIRC_ICHIA.
Eligibility for the new healthcare access includes, but is not limited to:
- Lawful Permanent Residents and those with approved visa adjustments
- Refugees, asylees, and asylum applicants
- Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal
- Cuban/Haitian entrants, Iraqi & Afghan Special Immigrants
- Temporary Protected Status holders
- Deferred Enforced Departure holders
- DACA recipients after November 1, 2024
- Survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence
- U visa holders and certain victims of serious crimes
- Certain nonimmigrant visa holders, with additional considerations
To begin the enrollment process, individuals can visit Michigan’s MIBRIDGES benefit-issuing website. Those with further questions about their rights or eligibility can contact MIRC at (734) 239-6863.
