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Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Stories From Our Communities

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Susan Matsuko Shinagawa

Cancer Survivor and Advocate

Before health care reform, I was denied a biopsy for a prominent and painful breast lump by a surgical oncologist who admonished me that, “Asian women don’t get breast cancer”.
 

Kijoong Shin

Small Business Owner

Before health care reform, I was on Nationwide insurance with a $5000 deductible. I had open heart surgery and the bill was $54,000. The insurance company canceled my policy because my bills were too high. I had to self-pay for all follow up doctors' visits, other lab and x-rays, and medicine. In 2008, my business went under and I could…

 

Kazuko Davis

Access to Culturally Adequate Care

Before health care reform, my problem regarding health insurance or healthcare access is the language barrier. Since English is not my first language, it has been difficult for me to understand the American healthcare system. Thus, I have trouble navigating through it. There are also times where I am unable to describe my symptoms in English because I either do…

 

AnhDao Bui

Student

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…

 

Jane Ka'ala Pang, RN, PHN

Marshallese Community CA Survivors

PIHP continues to partner with other small NHPI community agencies to provide the critical support for many NHPI clients navigating the fragmented, hostile medical services available. One of the elder leaders in the Marshallese community is experiencing a medical crisis at a premiere medical center in Orange County, CA. The center does not have any Marshallese translators on staff to…

 

Anton Saleh

Student

Before health care reform, I was unable to afford my prescription medications because my cancer medications were not on my insurer's approved drug list.
 

Dennis Chau

Student

Before health care reform, I can barely remember the days when I still had insurance.
 

Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS

A Provider Perspective

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), particularly aspects related to pre-existing conditions, has increased our HIV-positive patients’ access to medical services in a timely manner. Our HIV primary care clinic exists to provide access to primary care services, particularly targeting Asian & Pacific Islanders, the LGBT community and other people of color. We serve a significant number of patients who are…

 

Potri Ranka Manis

RN & Community Health Worker Trainer

Before health care reform, it was difficult for a small organization like ours with only 3 employees at the time to find affordable health insurance packages.
 

Jane Ka'ala Pang, RN, PHN

Retired Nurse, PIHP Full Time Volunteer Program Manager

Before health care reform, I had a client who was not able to afford health coverage and was able to get Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) coverage once she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but only for 18 months.