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. “Health care reform is working for our communities, such as the family that previously struggled to pay for their son’s cancer medications and now has access to better coverage, to the small business owner who can now afford to provide health insurance for her employees.”

As part of the celebration, APIAHF featured stories on its homepage from Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AAs and NHPIs) from around the nation who shared how the ACA has already had a positive impact on their lives. In addition, building off the success of last year’s ACA birthday celebrations, APIAHF created an ACA Turns 2 packet for community members to get engaged, speak out about the importance of health reform and launch social media campaigns tailored to AA and NHPI communities.

“Thanks to the ACA, we are already seeing gains in coverage for our communities and expanded access to essential preventive care,” said Priscilla Huang, APIAHF policy director. “In the past two years alone, 2.5 million young adults – including 97,000 Asian Americans – have been able to remain on their parent’s insurance plans under the ACA’s extension of dependent coverage. In addition, 2.7 million Asian Americans have received free preventive services, including cancer screenings.”

Despite the significant gains and improvements the law has made in communities around the nation, opponents have continued to attack the law, including in the court room. Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for and against the law, and will likely render a decision this summer.

APIAHF believes the ACA is a landmark civil rights law that provides critical investments for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. Last month, APIAHF filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court – the largest representation of AAs and NHPIs in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court on any case – defending the ACA. APIAHF’s brief highlighted stories collected from individuals and community-based organizations from around the nation that demonstrate the impact health reform has had and what’s at stake for AA and NHPI communities.

For more information about health care reform, visit our Health Care Reform Resource center here.

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.