WASHINGTON—Today, on the 16^th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) celebrates the law’s transformative impact in expanding access to affordable, quality health care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, while underscoring the urgent need to protect and strengthen its gains.

Since its enactment in 2010, the ACA has extended health coverage to more than 45 million Americans nationwide and dramatically reduced the uninsured rate across all racial and ethnic groups. For AANHPI communities in particular, the progress has been profound.

The uninsured rate among non-elderly AANHPI populations dropped from 16.6 percent in 2010 to just 6.2 percent in 2022—a 63 percent reduction and the largest relative coverage gain of any racial or ethnic group. This translates to approximately 4.6 million more AANHPI individuals gaining health insurance coverage over the past decade. 

The ACA has also helped eliminate longstanding disparities in coverage. Prior to the law, AANHPI communities experienced higher uninsured rates than white Americans, but those gaps have now effectively closed. 

In addition, enrollment among AANHPI consumers in ACA Marketplaces continues to grow, increasing by 14 percent between 2020 and 2023 alone. 

Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Language barriers, immigration-related exclusions, and affordability concerns continue to limit access to care for many within the diverse AANHPI population.

“On this anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we celebrate a law that has fundamentally changed what health care access looks like for our communities,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF. “For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander families, the ACA has meant the difference between going without care and getting the services they need to live healthy, productive lives. But our work is far from over. Persistent disparities, affordability challenges, and policy threats put this progress at risk. We must continue to strengthen the ACA and ensure that every member of our communities—regardless of language, income, or immigration status—can access culturally and linguistically appropriate care.”

APIAHF calls on policymakers to build on the ACA’s success by expanding affordability programs, protecting Medicaid and Marketplace coverage, and investing in community-based outreach that ensures AANHPI populations are not left behind.

As the nation reflects on the ACA’s legacy, APIAHF remains committed to advancing health equity and ensuring that AANHPI communities continue to benefit from the law’s promise of accessible, affordable care for all.

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Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice.