The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) filed an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in King v. Burwell, a case challenging the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case has potentially significant consequences for millions of Americans, including the 4.5 million currently insured through the federal health insurance Marketplace because of the ACA’s tax credits.
The brief details the lack of coverage options and lingering health disparities facing Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AAs and NHPIs), and the importance of the ACA’s tax credits in helping people get access to care. Prior to the law, nearly one in seven AAs and NHPIs were uninsured and even more were underinsured. The ACA sought to remedy that by substantially expanding access to health insurance for middle- and low-income people through tax credits to make coverage affordable. This is the express purpose of the ACA and supported by the law’s text.
APIAHF filed the brief with the Association of Asian Pacific American Community Health Organizations, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Los Angeles and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, who together with APIAHF comprise Action for Health Justice. APIAHF has partnered with Action for Health Justice to ensure that AAs and NHPIs realize the benefits of the new health law. Sixty-three community and health organizations also signed onto the brief.