Edward Tepporn is the Vice President of Community Strategies for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), a national health justice organization which influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. He has over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit field in local, national, and international settings.

Edward joined APIAHF’s staff in 2002, having most recently served as APIAHF’s HIV Program Director.

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2012

Washington, DC – The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) welcomed today’s introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2012 (S. 2474) (HEAA) in the U.S. Senate. The bill, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka and joined by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, builds on the strengths of the health care reform law and provides additional tools to address health and health disparities affecting minority and undeserved communities.

For Immediate Release
April 12, 2012

Washington, DC – The Johns Hopkins University Press’ Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP), in collaboration with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), released the first ever special journal issue focused on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) health featuring leading community-based participatory research initiatives across our nation.

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2012

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court concluded oral arguments yesterday on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), focusing on whether the individual mandate – the requirement that nearly all persons purchase health insurance – can be separated, or “severed,” from the law if the mandate is unconstitutional.

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) joined health advocates from around the nation in celebrating the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Since 2010, our communities have rallied in support of health care reform and worked with policy makers to ensure the law meets the needs of diverse communities,” said Kathy Lim Ko, APIAHF president and CEO.

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, released an FY 2013 budget proposal that would repeal portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), make major changes to the Medicare program and substantially cut funding to public safety-net programs like Medicaid, resulting in disastrous consequences for seniors, low-income families and communities of color.

For Immediate Release
March 19, 2012

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) kicked off a week-long celebration of the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA was an historic achievement and makes considerable investments in our nation’s health care infrastructure.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is turning 2 this year! Last year, we had the best celebration yet, with 23 communities from across the country celebrating with their elected officials to say thank you for passing health care reform.

In the two years since the law went into effect, millions of individuals, including many Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, have already benefited from expanded access to affordable health insurance and improved protections for consumers.

The types of barriers that I have encountered with relating to healthcare access and insurance is that when I turned 18, I was no longer under my dad's health insurance plan. For a few years, I was uninsured until my friend told me about UNM care (a country-based medical assistance program). I also had to pay out-of-pocket expenses before and even after I obtained health insurance.

My family had difficulty applying and buying health insurance. Before my dad retired, my family was qualified for Medicaid since he made $9.00/hr.