APIAHF

WASHINGTON—The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) applauds Congress for including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the COVID-19 relief package passed last night. The relief package includes many of APIAHF’s long-term priorities including reinstating Medicaid eligibility for COFA communities. Juliet K. Choi, chief executive officer of APIAHF released the following statement:

“It’s taken nearly 25 years to correct a legislative error that stripped Medicaid from the COFA community. Once this legislation is enacted, tens of thousands of COFA families will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief as they regain eligibility to and access Medicaid. 

As the nation is reeling from this devastating winter wave of the COVID pandemic, we urge Congress to continue to lead in a bipartisan fashion and act aggressively to ensure that all Americans have access to healthcare, including equitable access to the vaccine, especially when so many millions of our neighbors still lack access to any care.”

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