July 14, 2017
WASHINGTON – Today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released the following statement on the revised health care repeal bill, the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017,” released this week in the Senate.
“In attempting to appease everyone, this legislation will benefit no one,” said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF president and CEO. “Repealing the Affordable Care Act will damage the lives of millions across the country who rely on the tax credits, Medicaid expansion, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. This revised bill does little to improve access to health care and instead inserts a new provision allowing plans without consumer protections to be sold on the exchanges, creating even more barriers to quality, affordable health care and disproportionately impacting the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who rely on the ACA for coverage.”
APIAHF opposes the Senate health care repeal bill, which would cause 22 million Americans, including over 1.6 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, to lose health care. This revised version of the Senate bill released in late June includes deep cuts to Medicaid and ends the Medicaid expansion, causing significant damage to Americans who are low-income, racial and ethnic minorities and persons with chronic conditions. It removes the protections for those with pre-existing conditions, putting people at risk of being denied coverage guaranteed under the ACA. APIAHF encourages Senators to support health care access for all, instead of working to take away health coverage from millions of families.