Trump eliminates ObamaCare for Dreamers and shortens enrollment period

Approximately 800,000 young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children lost access to Affordable Care Act coverage under a final rule released in Jun. 2025 (The Hill).

The Trump administration’s rule specifically ended ACA coverage eligibility for the “Dreamer” population, removing insurance access for long-term community members (The Hill).

The administration shortened the annual ACA open enrollment period, reducing the window families have to shop for and select health insurance plans (The Hill).

Major administrative procedures, including a typical 60-day public comment period, were bypassed to expedite the implementation of these healthcare changes (Federal Register rulemaking process analysis).

Most Dreamers have lived in the United States for the majority of their lives, making them long-term community residents (Migration Policy Institute).

Uninsured populations rely heavily on emergency room care, which is more expensive and shifts costs onto insured patients through higher premiums (Health Affairs).

Presidents can change major healthcare policies through executive rules and federal regulations without new congressional legislation, as demonstrated by this rule (Kaiser Family Foundation).

Under the Biden administration prior to 2025, enrollment periods were expanded and made easier and more affordable—a policy that the Trump rule reverses (The Hill).