Bill Overview
Title: No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits states from using certain federal funds provided to subsidize health insurance to offset the cost of health insurance coverage (including through premium or cost-sharing reductions) or provide any other benefit to undocumented immigrants.
Sponsors: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4]
Target Audience
Population: Undocumented immigrants and related stakeholder populations
Estimated Size: 12000000
- Undocumented immigrants currently residing in the U.S. could be directly impacted as this bill prevents them from benefiting from federal subsidies for health insurance.
- Organizations or industries that rely on immigrant labor may experience indirect effects due to changes in their workforce's insurance coverage, potentially affecting productivity or health-related absenteeism.
- The broader American populace may be impacted if there is increased pressure on emergency healthcare services due to undocumented immigrants being unable to afford preventive or routine healthcare.
- There may be administrative impacts on state and federal health agencies that need to adjust funding protocols and eligibility criteria.
Reasoning
- Undocumented immigrants are the primary group directly affected by this policy as it would remove their access to federally subsidized health insurance. However, due to their ineligibility for most federal healthcare subsidies even prior to the policy, the direct impact might be less significant than assumed.
- The policy could lead to increased financial stress and health insecurity for undocumented immigrants who would lose access to subsidized health insurance, affecting their wellbeing.
- Industries that employ a large number of undocumented workers may face challenges due to the potential health impacts and increased absenteeism among their workforce.
- The public healthcare system could experience increased strain from individuals without insurance seeking emergency services, indirectly impacting U.S. citizens by potentially elevating costs and increasing wait times.
- Populations that do not interact with undocumented immigrants or the industries that employ them are likely not directly impacted by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Undocumented farmworker (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about losing access to affordable healthcare. Without insurance, I won't be able to afford doctor visits or medication.
- If this policy comes through, I might have to rely on emergency services for health issues, which is stressful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Construction worker (Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing health insurance support means more out-of-pocket expenses, which I can't afford.
- This policy might force me to work through pain without medical help, affecting my productivity and income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Undocumented domestic worker (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm fearful about having to choose between healthcare and sending money back to my family.
- If I can't afford insurance, small health issues could become major crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Undocumented gardener (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy makes it hard for me to plan financially for healthcare.
- Without assistance, I'll need to divert funds from my children’s education to health expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Undocumented housekeeper (Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on affordable healthcare to manage my conditions and maintain work.
- I'm worried about the lack of preventive care due to the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 5 |
Undocumented cook (Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Affording healthcare for my family is hard enough, without subsidies it feels impossible.
- The policy creates more uncertainty in my already unstable situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Undocumented hotel staff (Nevada)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might not able to cover unforeseen health expenses without insurance aid.
- The policy impacts not just me but my family overseas reliant on my earnings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Landscaper (Georgia)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing healthcare subsidies is a blow but not surprising. We are used to managing without insurance.
- I'm concerned about injury at work without insurance safety net.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Undocumented factory worker (California)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare costs might become too much without help. It's a big concern for my family.
- This might mean more financial instability if illness strikes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Undocumented nanny (North Carolina)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing access to affordable healthcare makes it harder to stay healthy and work.
- The constant worry about health emergencies is tough without insurance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $3000000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $2000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy's cost and savings estimates primarily relate to the administrative costs and the prevention of federal funds from subsidizing healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
- State governments may face increased pressure to cover healthcare needs once covered by federal funds, potentially affecting state budgets.