Immigrants may lose coverage due to website, language issues

Immigrants who obtained subsidized insurance through the federal health law must submit proof by Friday that they are in the U.S. legally, but few appear to have responded -- in some cases due to technical glitches with the federal website as well as language difficulties.

The Associated Press: Problems Abound With Health Law Immigration Papers
More than 200,000 immigrants who bought insurance through President Barack Obama's health care initiative could lose their coverage this month if they don't submit proof this week they are legally in the country, but language barriers and computer glitches are hindering efforts to alert them. The government mailed letters in English and Spanish last month notifying people that if immigration and citizenship documents aren't submitted by Friday, their coverage under the Affordable Care Act will end Sept. 30 (9/2).

Fox News: 300,000 Immigrants Could Lose Obamacare Coverage Because Of Computer Glitch, Language Barrier
Much like when President Barack Obama's health care initiative launched, computer glitches and language barriers are impeding immigrants from full coverage. More than 300,000 immigrants who bought insurance through the Affordable Health Care Act were notified last week that they may lose health insurance coverage on Sept. 30 if they don't submit proof this week they are legally in the country. However, few seem to be responding to the government's notification. According to numbers released Tuesday by U.S. Health and Human Services, only 239,000 of the original 300,000 were still receiving final notices (9/2).

Des Moines Register: Immigration Could Cost 500 Iowans Their Insurance
About 500 Iowans could lose their government-subsidized health insurance if they don't prove by Friday that they're in the country legally. Federal officials said last month that they'd sent letters to 700 Iowans warning that they needed to submit documentation by Sept. 5 proving that they are citizens or legal immigrants. Only about 200 have responded, officials said this morning. The issue affects people who purchased private insurance policies via healthcare.gov, which is a key part of the Affordable Care Act. The law, also known as Obamacare, offers subsidies to participants who meet income guidelines -- but that help is not supposed to go to people who are in the country illegally. About 29,000 Iowans obtained health insurance this year via healthcare.gov, including nearly 25,000 who received subsidies (Leys, 9/2).