History
Compact of Free Association, COFA, was established in 1986 which defined a unique relationship between COFA countries and the U.S. This relationship allowed the US to utilize military bases in COFA countries in exchange for health and education benefits and resources for infrastructure. In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), stripped COFA citizens of their health benefits. Some states provided resources to cover their COFA communities, however, it demonstrates the non-stability of benefits for COFA migrants. In 2020, the Covid Relief Bill restored COFA citizens eligibility for federal safety-net programs including Medicare.