The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) looks forward to
the implementation of the federally-run Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
(PCIP) program. Disproportionately high rates of cancer, diabetes, and Hepatitis B
persist within Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and
NHPI) populations. Compounding these disparities, 17% of Asian Americans and
21% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are uninsured. We expect AAs and
NHPIs to benefit significantly from access to the PCIP program, but are concerned
that the interim final rule creates barriers for the many immigrants in our
communities.