Washington Healthplan Finder warns of major reductions of immigrant healthcare coverage

(sigh) Everything I warned about a year ago is coming true...via the Washington Healthplan Finder:

Recent federal changes are making it more difficult for Washingtonians to access and maintain health insurance. While hundreds of thousands rely on Washington Healthplanfinder to find and enroll in coverage, new federal policies will leave many residents at risk of losing the care they need. 

We at Washington Health Benefit Exchange are still doing all we can to help residents get health and dental insurance, regardless of immigration status. However, due to H.R. 1 and new rules impacting marketplace coverage, there are changes regarding immigrant eligibility and how much people pay for health insurance. 

As of October 1, 2025, people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status no longer qualify for federal tax credits. 

As of January 1, 2026, lawfully present immigrants with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level and who are not eligible for Medicaid lost access to tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.  

Starting October 1, 2026, Washington Apple Health eligibility changes for noncitizens. Only some immigrants will qualify for certain Apple Health (Medicaid) programs, such as Apple Health for Adults. Statuses include: 

• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) 
• People participating in the Cuban-Haitian Entrant (CHE) program 
• Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants 

Children and pregnant people (including those within 12 months postpartum) can still apply for Apple Health regardless of immigration status. Read HCA’s H.R. 1 noncitizens fact sheet (PDF) (available in 15 languages) for more information about Apple Health changes. 

Starting January 1, 2027, only these groups will qualify for federal financial help for qualified health plans:  

• U.S. citizens and nationals 
• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) 
• People participating in the Cuban-Haitian Entrant (CHE) program 
• Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants 

People of any immigration status who qualify based on income can still receive state-funded Cascade Care Savings. Cascade Care Savings is a critical tool to help people afford health insurance, but we know it can’t make up for the loss of federal tax credits that many immigrant populations are facing.  

The Exchange is committed to keeping as many Washingtonians covered as possible. A statewide network of community-based partners help Washington Healthplanfinder customers select and enroll in health and dental insurance.

Categories of non-citizens who either are no longer eligible for ACA/Medicaid/CHIP coverage or who will no longer be eligible soon include refugees, parollees, those granted asylum and even victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking.

Let me repeat that: Victims of domestic absuse and even victims of HUMAN TRAFFICKING...aka SEX SLAVERY.