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BIO EPHRAIM COLBERT DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION MANAGER BIO LENAYA KIMBALL PROGRAM COORDINATOR BIO NHIEN LE MANAGER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BIO PHOEBE SAWYER PROJECT ASSOCIATE BIO JAMILA SHIPP C4H MANAGING DIRECTOR BIO CALI TRAN COVID-19 RESPONSE FELLOW OUR BOARD OUR LEADERSHIP OUR STAFF ABOUT OUR STAFF —
- APIAHF DEEPLY CONCERNED BY HHS SECRETARY’S DECISION TO REMOVE ALL ACIP MEMBERS
JUNE 10, 2025 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF DEEPLY CONCERNED BY HHS SECRETARY’S DECISION TO REMOVE ALL ACIP MEMBERS JUNE 10, 2025 WASHINGTON —The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) expresses serious concern over the recent decision by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to announce plans to remove all current members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a longstanding body of medical and public health experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on immunization guidelines. This move threatens to undermine decades of scientific progress, community trust, and evidence-based public health policymaking. “ACIP plays a vital role in protecting public health, particularly for historically underserved communities, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF. “Removing this independent advisory body erodes trust in science and could dangerously politicize vaccine policy.” The ACIP has been instrumental in providing transparent, peer-reviewed recommendations that have guided life-saving immunization strategies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disbanding its current membership could stall vaccination programs, exacerbate existing health disparities, and lead to increased preventable disease among vulnerable populations. AANHPI communities already face significant barriers to health care access and suffer disproportionate impacts from infectious disease outbreaks. Decisions that dismiss scientific expertise and public health safeguards only further marginalize these groups. APIAHF calls on all leaders to commit to preserving independent, evidence-based public health institutions. We urge policymakers and the public to remain vigilant in defending the integrity of bodies like ACIP and to prioritize the health and well-being of all communities. # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- APIAHF CONDEMNS ENACTMENT OF H.R. 1 “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT,” SLASHING MEDICAID AND ELIMINATING HEALTH COVERAGE FOR MILLIONS
JULY 4, 2025 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF CONDEMNS ENACTMENT OF H.R. 1 “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT,” SLASHING MEDICAID AND ELIMINATING HEALTH COVERAGE FOR MILLIONS JULY 4, 2025 WASHINGTON —Today, President Donald J. Trump signed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law—a sweeping federal funding package that dismantles Medicaid and jeopardizes access to health care for millions of Americans. The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) strongly denounces this legislation. Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, released the following statement: “Make no mistake: this law is a direct attack on the health and well‑being of our nation. By gutting Medicaid and cutting SNAP, H.R. 1 threatens the lives of children, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants, and working families. Rather than supporting essential human services and investing in care, this legislation diverts critical resources to punitive immigration enforcement and enshrines high-income tax breaks. “APIAHF joined Black, Latino, disability, and rural advocates in fighting this bill’s most dangerous components, some of which have been removed. However, as the bill stands today, for the 4.5 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, including one million children and more than 800,000 AANHPI seniors who count on Medicaid, the consequences will be immediate and devastating. Families will skip lifesaving prescriptions, postpone cancer screenings, and face crushing medical debt. “APIAHF renews our commitment to addressing persistent health disparities and ensuring that affordable, quality healthcare is accessible to all. We will continue to work in partnership with community leaders and policy makers to ascertain the devastating impacts of today’s actions , mitigate the bill’s impacts, and advocate for our nation’s most vulnerable. ” Medicaid currently covers 78 million people nationwide or 1 in 5 Americans, including 4.5 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. H.R. 1 replaces guaranteed coverage with capped funding, shifting billions in costs to states. ACA marketplace policyholders will face a shortened annual open enrollment period and no longer be automatically reenrolled. SNAP cuts will eliminate food assistance for approximately 1.7 million households. # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- APIAHF STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. MANDY K. COHEN TO LEAD THE CDC
JULY 13, 2023 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. MANDY K. COHEN TO LEAD THE CDC JULY 13, 2023 WASHINGTON —This week, Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH began her tenure as Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Cohen is one of the nation’s top health leaders, previously leading the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services where she oversaw the state’s Medicaid expansion and response to COVID-19, and launched the country’s first statewide coordination platform, NCCARE360. Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released the following statement: “Dr. Cohen is a transformative leader with a depth of experience serving in executive level roles in both the public and private sectors. As a physician and administrator, she understands the need for holistic care, taking into account the unique needs of different communities. “We look forward to working with Dr. Cohen and the CDC to continue to improve the health and well-being of all communities in the country.” # # # 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. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- APIAHF MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, HIGHLIGHTING HISTORIC GAINS FOR AANHPI COMMUNITIES
MARCH 23, 2026 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, HIGHLIGHTING HISTORIC GAINS FOR AANHPI COMMUNITIES MARCH 23, 2026 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. # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- HOUSE FAILURE TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS WILL DRIVE UP HEALTH CARE COSTS
DECEMBER 19, 2025 PRESS RELEASE HOUSE FAILURE TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS WILL DRIVE UP HEALTH CARE COSTS DECEMBER 19, 2025 WASHINGTON —The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) is deeply disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives failed to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits (PTCs), which will mean millions of Americans will now face healthcare costs far out of reach. Without congressional action, enhanced PTCs are set to expire, resulting in sharp premium increases and widespread coverage losses nationwide. In total, more than 20 million Americans are projected to face higher healthcare costs in the coming year—including over 1.5 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders —forcing families across all communities to choose between medical care and basic necessities. Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF gave the following statement: “Congress’ failure to act will have real and immediate consequences for families across this country. When healthcare premiums spike overnight, people delay care, take on medical debt, or lose coverage altogether. Millions of Americans will see their healthcare costs balloon by an average of $1,016 in the new year. Affordable healthcare should not be a partisan issue. Allowing these protections to lapse undermines years of progress and puts lives at risk—especially for communities already facing deep economic and health inequities.” APIAHF urges Congress to act immediately to extend ACA premium tax credits and protect affordable healthcare access for all communities. Failure to do so will disproportionately harm communities of color, immigrants, seniors, small business owners, and low- and moderate-income families who rely on the ACA Marketplace for comprehensive, affordable coverage. ### Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- ANCHOR JOINT STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
JUNE 29, 2023 PRESS RELEASE ANCHOR JOINT STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION JUNE 29, 2023 WASHINGTON —The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) on June 29, 2023 that affirmative action programs violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Today’s Supreme Court decision is a stark reminder of the challenges communities of color face, and highlights the need for continued advocacy to ensure educational opportunity and racial equity. Since its inception, affirmative action has empowered students of color to speak up and share their stories as they seek a brighter future through education and career opportunities. This, in turn, helps build inclusive and thriving communities of students and workers. Despite the outcome of today’s ruling, NCAPA remains committed to supporting affirmative action. “Affirmative action honors the diversity and cultural histories of the AANHPI community. Without it, we all stand to lose,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “The Supreme Court’s decision to undo decades of progress comes at a time when communities of color are increasingly under attack. While we are disappointed in today’s ruling, we will continue fighting for a fair and equitable education for all students.” Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) said: “The Court has long held that affirmative action is vital to advancing diversity and ensuring our graduates are prepared for our multiracial workforce and society. This decision has implications not only for undergraduate admissions but also for graduate-level admissions, including medical and nursing school. Our communities’ health does best when medical professionals are more likely to understand our experiences. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders continue to be grossly underrepresented in the medical profession, and health equity is further compromised by this decision – particularly in the shadow of the impact of COVID-19 on NHPI communities, which had one of the highest per capita death rates in our nation.” Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) said: “We unequivocally condemn this decision, which ignores the systemic and racially disparate barriers to education access that have historically blocked pathways to upward economic mobility for communities of color, including Southeast Asian American communities. While the ruling is a setback to ensuring educational opportunity for all students, we are resolved to continue fighting for a future where every individual, regardless of their life circumstances, can thrive and succeed.” Estella Owoimaha-Church, Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) said: “There is no alternative to affirmative action or race-conscious admissions for marginalized communities of color, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. This decision will exacerbate structural inequities that persist for Pasifika youth. We continue to move in solidarity alongside our partners to ensure all students have access to inclusive history, culturally responsive learning environments, and diverse books. Our stories matter and deserve to be heard. Each of us has a role to play in cultivating clear paths for emerging leaders so they might forge futures once denied to our elders and ancestors.” John C. Yang, President & Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (Advancing Justice – AAJC) stated: “We are outraged that the Supreme Court has ignored nearly 50 years of legal precedent in favor of supporting racial inequity that harms Asian Americans and all people of color. But we are more committed than ever to ensuring equal opportunity for our children – and for all children in this country. We will not let this court decision keep us from pushing colleges and universities, Congress, and others to keep today’s ruling from undermining the progress made toward educating future multiracial, talented leaders who deserve every opportunity to reach their highest potential on campuses that reflect the diversity of America.” Vimala Phongsavanh, Board Chair of the Laotian American National Alliance (LANA) said: “LANA continues to support what affirmative action stands for: educational equity that enables aspiring students of color to achieve in higher education and in the pursuit of their careers. Lao American students are already three times more likely not to have earned their high school diplomas, when compared with white students; undoing any progress for the AANHPI communities and the communities with which we stand in solidarity only sets us all back further.” Julie Ajinkya, Chief Strategy Officer and SVP of Research and Applied Partnerships at Asian Pacific American Islanders Scholars (APIA Scholars) commented: “APIA Scholars is an organization that supports diversity, equity and inclusion and we decry the Supreme Court’s decision today to repeal affirmative action. Numerous studies on affirmative action bans have demonstrated that the result is an immediate and long-term decrease in diversity and representation and prevents equitable access to opportunities for students. As an organization that is founded on increasing diversity and access to educational opportunities, we support affirmative action, we defend diversity and we affirm inclusivity. We do not support policies that result in the opposite outcome or any rhetoric that undermines racial equity and justice. In our survey that went out to about 22,000 high school seniors, college students and recent grads, 80% of our respondents approve of affirmative action. We believe race is part of a person’s identity and should be one of the factors that should be considered in a holistic admissions evaluation so that more students can receive a fair chance.” Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIA Vote) responded: “Nearly 70 percent of Asian Americans support affirmative action, according to our 2022 Asian American Voter Survey. This decision is another unfortunate example of our Supreme Court ignoring long-held precedent, and goes against what the vast majority of our communities believe. It is disappointing Asian Americans have been used as a wedge in this debate, instead of bringing all Americans together to transparently discuss the merits of affirmative action.” David Inoue, Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) stated: “The court’s dismantling of affirmative action has been done under the presumption that equal opportunity exists for all. We know this to be false both historically and in the present. The elimination of race consciousness in college admissions and employment decisions does nothing to promote equal opportunity. It will instead cover up the incredible diversity that makes this country stronger.” Seema Agnani, CEO of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) stated: “Affirmative action continues to be a vital pathway for low-income communities of color to access educational opportunities that have been historically denied to them by systemic barriers and discrimination. Increased educational opportunities lead to better outcomes for students, families, and communities, and affirmative action is thus an important strategy in the work to close the racial wealth gap. National CAPACD supports affirmative action and underscores the importance of inclusive academic spaces that reflect the diversity of this country.” Becky Belcore, Co-Director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) responded: “We condemn the Supreme Court decision as wrong and alarmingly destabilizing to democracy. Affirmative action policies recognize the historical and present-day exclusion faced by marginalized communities – including Asian Americans – and the impacts of such exclusion, and level the playing field so that every aspiring student has opportunities in education. In ruling race-conscious admissions as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court continues its recent pattern of weakening key civil rights policies.” Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates said: “The Supreme Court has chosen to ignore the reality of persistent racial discrimination and inequality in our country, and has undermined the efforts of educators and advocates to create more equitable and diverse learning environments. The ability to have a fair chance to pursue higher education in the United States is the embodiment of the American Dream. We will continue to support affirmative action policies that foster educational opportunity and access for all students, especially those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities.” Samira Khan, President of the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) commented: “SAPHA firmly believes that affirmative action is vital for addressing historical disparities, dismantling structural inequities and enabling marginalized students–including South Asian students–to thrive in academic settings by creating inclusive educational environments that reflect the diverse fabric of our society. The Supreme Court ruling undermines our collective efforts to create a more just and equitable society. While we are disappointed with this ruling, we remain steadfast in our efforts to advocate for inclusive and equitable policies.” Anisha Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition stated: “Inclusive education and representation for our communities isn’t just about what’s on the curriculum—it matters who is in the classroom to begin with. For decades, affirmative action has been an essential tool to ensuring that students from all communities have access to higher education. This ruling is a step backwards.” # # # Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) coordinates and supports a coalition of forty-six national Asian Pacific American organizations that represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- APIAHF APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF BILL CODIFYING LANGUAGE ACCESS RIGHTS
JANUARY 23, 2026 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF BILL CODIFYING LANGUAGE ACCESS RIGHTS JANUARY 23, 2026 WASHINGTON — The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) applauds the introduction of legislation to codify language access rights, led by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), alongside Congressmembers Juan Vargas (CA-42), Judy Chu (CA-28) and Dan Goldman (NY-10). The bill is introduced on the 52nd anniversary of the landmark 1974 Supreme Court decision Lau v. Nichols , which affirmed that language barriers can constitute unlawful discrimination under federal civil rights law. Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF, issued the following statement: “Chair Meng’s leadership sends a clear message: language access is a civil right, not a privilege. “Nearly nine percent of the U.S. population — about 26 million people — are limited English proficient, including more than one in three Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Ensuring meaningful access to education, health care, voting and essential public services is imperative to nationwide equity. “ Lau v. Nichols affirmed a simple principle: meaningful access is essential to participation in civic life. “As we mark the 52nd anniversary of that decision, this legislation moves us closer to making language access enforceable, durable, and real for communities across the country.” ### Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- OUR WORK: Public Health Initiatives: ACA Enrollment | APIAHF
ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment refers to the period of time that takes place each fall where individuals and families can come together to compare and select health plans for the coming year. Plans change every year so it is important for people to evaluate which plan best suits their needs. PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 27, 2025 — LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES Expanding Access to Healthcare HIV Education & Outreach Tuberculosis Elimination Outreach Capacity Building Initiatives AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 18, 2025 DOWNLOAD One Pager: Substantive Changes in the ACA Marketplace During the 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Download in Korean Download in Vietnamese Download in Vietnamese - cobranded SEACMA Download in Simplified Chinese Download in Traditional Chinese Download in Marshallese Download in Arabic Download in Samoan Download in Samoan - cobranded OCAPICA Download in Tagalog Download in Spanish WEBINAR RECORDING: APIAHF x AAPCHO ACA Marketplace Webinar WATCH NOW On October 28th, 2025, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) in partnership with Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), National Health Law Program (NHeLP), North East Medical Services (NEMS), and Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) held a webinar to break down updates to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace from the recently-enacted H.R.1 and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Marketplace Final Rule. Panelists also discussed how these changes apply to the 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Period that starts on November 1, 2025 and anticipated impacts for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace Open Enrollment? ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment refers to the period of time that takes place each fall where individuals and families can come together to compare and select health plans for the coming year. Plans change every year so it is important for people to evaluate which plan best suits their current needs. WHO QUALIFIES FOR A PLAN? To qualify for a Marketplace plan you must: Live in the United States Be a United States citizen or national, or be lawfully present (learn more about eligible immigration statuses) Not be incarcerated IMMIGRATION-RELATED CHANGES IN MARKETPLACE DACA recipients are now ineligible for discounted ACA Marketplace coverage. DACA recipients may still enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan (without assistance) or may be eligible for other low/no-cost state insurance options. Lawfully present immigrants with income below 100% FPL are ineligible for premium tax credits (PTCs) beginning January 1, 2026. KEY DATES Some states have their own ACA exchanges and have different date ranges for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period. NOV 1 2025 Open Enrollment starts for 2026. DEC 15 2025 Enroll by this date for coverage that starts January 1, 2026. DEC 31 2025 Coverage ends for 2025 Marketplace plans. JAN 1 2026 Coverage begins for 2026 plans chosen by December 15, 2025. JAN 15 2026 Open Enrollment ends for 2026. FEB 1 2026 Coverage begins for 2026 plans chosen between December 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026. ARE YOU READY TO ENROLL? Visit healthcare.gov now for your health plan or call 1-800-318-2596 ; TTY: 1-855-889-4325. Explore your ACA Marketplace for some states below, or sign up for coverage from the Federal Marketplace Exchange HERE. Find Your State Marketplace California Connecticut Colorado Georgia District of Columbia Idaho Kentucky Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION To prepare for your application you will need the following documents: Documents confirming your income Documents confirming your immigration status Documents confirming your United States citizenship Documents confirming you gained a dependent due to an adoption, foster care placement, or court order Documents if you have a data matching issue Refer to this enrollment checklist for additional information you should have ready for your application. IMPORTANT UPDATES In 2021, the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan into law which includes provisions that expands benefits for those enrolled in or looking to enroll into ACA Marketplace plans. These benefits were further expanded upon by the Inflation Reduction Act which was signed into law in 2022. These benefits include: Expansion and an increase in Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) which help enrollees cover insurance premiums on health care plans purchased through the Marketplace. You might be eligible for one of these credits if you meet all of the following: Will have an annual household income above 400% of the federal poverty level Will not file a Married Filing Separately federal income tax return Must file a federal income tax return or be claimed as a tax filer’s dependent Must be enrolled in coverage through a Marketplace for one or more months of the year Are not eligible for or enrolled in other minimum essential coverage such as Medicaid or Medicare If you qualify for Medicare, the Inflation Reduction Act will save you money in the following ways: Medicare Part D improvements: Will have their insulin capped at $35 a month Will be able to access recommended vaccines such as the shingles vaccine at no cost Will have out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,000 a year Will have the option to make use of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan which will allow enrollees the option to spread their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs out throughout the year Expansion of the low-income subsidy program (LIS or “Extra Help”) under Medicare Part D to 150% of the federal poverty level starting in 2024 INFORMATION FOR DACA RECIPIENTS Important update for DACA recipients & consumers with certain other immigration statuses On December 9, 2024, the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction in Kansas v. United States of America (Case No. 1:24-cv-00150) partially blocking implementation of a final rule. This final rule allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and individuals in certain other noncitizen groups to enroll in a qualified health plan (QHP) through the Health Insurance Marketplace® (if otherwise eligible) for plan years 2024 and 2025, effective on November 1, 2024. As a result of the preliminary injunction, Marketplace enrollment has been placed on hold for these groups in the 19 states that are involved in the lawsuit. These states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. All of those states except Idaho, Kentucky, and Virginia are served by the Federal Marketplace platform on HealthCare.gov . To comply with this court order, DACA recipients and other noncitizens covered by the rule who reside in the above 19 plaintiff states shouldn't attest to having eligible immigration status in applications for Marketplace coverage. To further comply with the Court’s order, on December 26, 2024 the Marketplace will make a technical change so that DACA recipients and those other noncitizens covered by the rule who attest to lawful presence aren’t eligible for Marketplace coverage in the 16 states above served by HealthCare.gov . Following that technical change, the Marketplace will cancel any enrollments for 2025 Marketplace coverage selected by DACA recipients and other noncitizens covered by the rule in the 16 states. The insurance company will refund any premiums paid for that 2025 coverage. DACA recipients and those other noncitizens covered by the rule who enrolled in 2024 Marketplace coverage will have their Marketplace enrollment terminated at the end of the month and won’t have Marketplace coverage starting in 2025. The Marketplace will send a letter about ineligibility for coverage to DACA recipients and those other noncitizens covered by the rule in the 16 states. We encourage impacted consumers who had a change in their immigration status since they applied for Marketplace coverage to update their Marketplace application with their new immigration status. Check back for updates before January 15 when Marketplace Open Enrollment ends . On October 30th, 2024, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) in partnership with the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) held a webinar to discuss the new eligibility of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace plans. Experts discussed necessary information for DACA recipients to understand their options for enrollment, the Special Enrollment Period, and how and where they can reach assistance for coverage. This information is current as of October 30th, 2024. In May of 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to enroll into health coverage through the Marketplace. DACA recipients will be able to enroll into a Marketplace plan on November 1, 2024. DACA recipients will also be eligible for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) which can make health coverage more affordable. If you are a DACA recipient you are eligible for a special enrollment period, please see the dates below: Special Enrollment Period for DACA Recipients, Key Dates: November 1, 2024 : Open Enrollment starts for 2025. November 15, 2024 : Enroll by this date for coverage that starts December 1, 2024. December 1, 2024 : Coverage begins for 2025 plans chosen by November 15, 2024 Information for Disaster Victims If you live in an area where an emergency or disaster has been declared and that has impacted your ability to sign up for or switch or drop your plans during open enrollment, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period. During a FEMA declared major or emergency disaster event, individuals living in affected areas qualify for a special enrollment period. Click here to get disaster declaration information for your area or visit Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) for a list of impacted areas, TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585. For those living in Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene disaster areas and who are unable to enroll into or change their Marketplace plans during regular open enrollment, may qualify for a special enrollment period. Individuals will be given 60 days starting from the end of the FEMA designated incident period to enroll into a new Marketplace plan or make changes to their existing plan. To enter into this Special Enrollment Period, contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 ; TTY: 1-855-889-4325. Language Access Information Translated resources (Courtesy of Healthcare.gov) ACA Marketplace Brochure (English) 中文 | Chinese (PDF) ગુજરાતી | Gujarati (PDF) हिंदी | Hindi (PDF) 日本語 | Japanese (PDF) 한국인 | Korean (PDF) Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese (PDF) Tagalog (PDF) Questions to ask yourself when choosing a plan (English) 中文 | Chinese (PDF) ગુજરાતી | Gujarati (PDF) हिंदी | Hindi (PDF) 日本語 | Japanese (PDF) 한국인 | Korean (PDF) Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese (PDF) Tagalog (PDF) Get Covered: Things to know about the Health Insurance Marketplace (English) 中文 | Chinese (PDF) ગુજરાતી | Gujarati (PDF) हिंदी | Hindi (PDF) 日本語 | Japanese (PDF) 한국인 | Korean (PDF) Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese (PDF) Tagalog (PDF) Click Here to find Local Assistance on Healthcare.gov Enter your Zip Code or Use Your Current Location Click on the different filters that are applicable to you and your family Choose your language from the dropdown menu Click “Apply filter” for each filter you use Click Here to get information on getting contacted by an agent or broker. Enter your Zip Code Click “Search” Select how you would like to be contacted Choose your language from the dropdown menu Enter your contact information IN MOST STATES, ASSISTANCE WITH ENROLLMENT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES CAN BE FOUND THROUGH LOCAL ASSISTANCE A . However, some states maintain their own Marketplaces and language assistance services can be provided through a state Marketplace website, by phone, or in-person. Language Access for State Marketplaces CALIFORNIA Visit Storefront Finder for Local Assistance Translated Website: 繁中 | Chinese Traditional: https://www.coveredca.com/chinese/ 中文| Chinese Simplified: https://www.coveredca.com/chinese-simplified/ Hmoob | Hmong: https://www.coveredca.com/hmong/ ខ្មែរ | Khmer: https://www.coveredca.com/khmer/ 한국어 | Korean: https://www.coveredca.com/korean/ ລາວ | Lao : https://www.coveredca.com/lao/ Tagalog: https://www.coveredca.com/tagalog/ Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese: https://www.coveredca.com/vietnamese/ Phone Language Access 粵語 | Cantonese (800) 339-8938 普通话 | Mandarin (800) 300-1533 Hmoob | Hmong (800) 771-2156 ខ្មែរ | Khmer (800) 906-8528 한국어 | Korean (800) 738-9116 Tagalog (800) 983-8816 ລາວ | Lao (800) 357-7976 Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese (800) 652-9528 COLORADO Visit Assistance Network Scheduler OR call (855) 752-6749; TTY: 1-855-695-5935 Other translated resources CONNECTICUT Visit Assistance Search OR call 1-855-805-4325; TTY: 1-855-789-2428 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Visit Get Help OR call (855) 532-5465; TTY: 711 Translated Website 中文 | Chinese: https://dchealthlink.com/chinese 한국어 | Korean: https://dchealthlink.com/korean Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese: https://dchealthlink.com/vietnamese GEORGIA Call (888) 687-1503; TTY: 711 IDAHO Visit Search for in-person assistance OR call 1-855-944-3246 To see the website in 中文| Chinese Simplified – click the drop-down list at the bottom of the page KENTUCKY Call 1-855-459-6328 MAINE Call (866) 636-0355 and select option “4” MARYLAND Call 1-855-642-8572 To see the website in a different language, use the dropdown menu at the top right corner of the website and select your language MASSACHUSETTS Call 1-877-623-6765; TTY: 711 To view the website in a different language use the dropdown menu at the top right of the website and select your language MINNESOTA Visit Assister Directory OR Call (651) 539-2099 or (855) 366-7873 Translated Website: Hmoob | Hmong: https://www.mnsure.org/hmong/index.jsp Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese: https://www.mnsure.org/vietnamese/index.jsp NEVADA Visit In-Person Assistance OR call 1-800-547-2927; TTY: 711 To view the website in a different language, use the Select Language dropdown at the top right of the website to select your language The Asian Community Development Council also provides in-language assistance for enrolling into healthcare: https://acdcnv.org/health-insurance/ NEW JERSEY Visit In-Person Assistance OR call 1-833-677-1010; TTY: 711 To view the website in a different language, go to the top right corner of the website and use the “Translate” drop down to select your language NEW MEXICO Visit Schedule An Appointment OR call 1-833-862-3935 To view the website in 中文| Chinese Simplified, go to the top right corner of the website and click the flag icon and select 中文| Chinese Simplified NEW YORK Visit Find an Assistor or Broker OR call 1-855-355-5777; TTY: 1-800- 662-1220 Translated Website: 繁中 | Chinese Traditional: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/TraditionalChinese 中文| Chinese Simplified: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/simplifiedchinese Translated Materials বাংলা | Bengali မြန်မာ | Burmese 中文 | Chinese (Simplified) 繁中 | Chinese (Traditional) हिंदी | Hindi 日本語 | Japanese ကညီ | Karen 한국어 | Korean नेपाली | Nepali Tagalog اردو | Urdu Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese PENNSYLVANIA Visit Search for in-person assistance Pennie OR Call 1-844- 844-8040, TTY: 771 To view the the website in a different language, go to the bottom right corner of the website and select your language from the dropdown menu RHODE ISLAND Visit Navigator Search OR call 1-855-840-4774; TTY: 1-888‐657-3173 To view the website in a different language, go to the top right corner of the website and select your language from the dropdown menu VERMONT Call 1-855-899-9600; TTY: 711 To view the website in a different language, go to the top right corner of the website and select your language from the dropdown menu VIRGINIA Call 1-888-687-1501 WASHINGTON Visit Navigator Search OR call 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 1-855-627-9604 You can also request free translated materials when you apply for health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder . The Washington Healthplanfinder also has translated resources for use: Language Recognition Card: 语言识别卡 भाषा पहचान कार्ड 言語識別カード ប័ណ្ណកំណត់អត្តសញ្ញាណភាសា 언어 식별 카드 د ژبې د پېژندنې کارت ਭਾਸ਼ਾ-ਪਛਾਣ ਕਾਰਡ Card ng Pagkakakilanlan sa Wika Thẻ Nhận Dạng Ngôn Ngữ Cost Sharing Reductions One-Pager (English) 费用分摊减除单页文件 कोस्ट-शेयरिंग कटौतियाँ एक ही पेज Cost-Sharing Reductions(コストシェアリング・リダクション)概要 ការកាត់បន្ថយការចែករំលែកថ្លៃ 비용분담 감면 원 페이저 ວັນເພເຈີກ່ຽວກັບການຫຼຸດຜ່ອນການຮ່ວມຈ່າຍ د روغتیا پاملرنې لګښتونو کمولو تخفیف یو مخ لرونکې سند ਲਾਗਤ-ਸਾਂਝੀ ਕਰਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਟੌਤੀਆਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਨ-ਪੇਜਰ Isang Pahina ng Pagbabawas ng Pagbabahagian ng Gastos Tax Credits One-Pager (English) 税项减免单页文件 टैक्स क्रेडिट एक ही पेज 税額控除概要 ឯកសារមួយទំព័រឥណទានពន្ធ 세액공제 원 페이저 ວັນເພເຈີກ່ຽວກັບເງິນຫຼຸດຢ່ອນພາສີ د کلیدي شرایطو لپاره د کارونکي لارښودنې ਟੈਕਸ ਕ੍ਰੈਡਿਟ ਵਨ-ਪੇਜਰ Isang Pahina ng mga Kredito sa Buwis Tài Liệu Về Tín Thuế Expanding Access to Health Insurance to All - FAQ (English) 扩大健康保险的普惠范围 Mở Rộng Khả Năng Tiếp Cận Bảo Hiểm Y Tế Cho Tất Cả Mọi Người Health Insurance Open to Everyone Trifold (English) 面向所有人的健康保险 स्वास्थ्य बीमा हर किसी के लिए ປະກັນສຸຂະພາບເປີດກວ້າງຕໍ່ກັບທຸກຄົນ د روغتیا بیمه د هرچا لپاره خلاصه ده ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਸਿਹਤ ਬੀਮਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੈ Insurance sa Kalusugan na Bukas sa Lahat Bảo Hiểm Y Tế Mở Rộng Cho Mọi Người Guide to Health Insurance for Immigrants in Washington State (English) 华盛顿州 移民医疗保险指南 वॉशिंगटन राज्य में प्रवासियों के लिए स्वास्थ्य बीमा मार्गदर्शिका ワシントン州における移民のための健康保険ガイド សេចក្តីណែនាំអំពីការធានារ៉ាប់រងសុខភាពសម្រាប់ជនអន្តោប្រវេសន៍នៅក្នុងរដ្ឋវ៉ាស៊ីនតោន 워싱턴주 이민자를 위한 건강보험 가이드 ຄູ່ມືການປະກັນສຸຂະພາບສຳລັບຜູ້ອົບພະຍົບໃນລັດວໍຊິງຕັນ په واشنګټن ایالت کې د کډوالو لپاره د روغتیا بیمې په اړه لارښودنې ਵਾੱਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ ਸਟੇਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਸੀਆਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਸਿਹਤ ਬੀਮੇ ਲਈ ਗਾਈਡ Gabay sa Insurance Pangkalusugan para sa mga Imigrante sa Estado ng Washington Hướng Dẫn về Bảo Hiểm Y Tế dành cho Người Nhập Cư ở Tiểu Bang Washington Resources for those transitioning between Medicaid and the Marketplace Overview of transitioning out of Medicaid and CHIP and into the Marketplace (English) 中文 | Chinese हिंदी | Hindi 한국어 | Korean Tagalog Tiếng Việt | Vietnamese If you need assistance with transitioning out of Medicaid, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has implemented the Enrollment Assistance Program. Call (877) 864-4370 or you can select your state on the website and schedule an appointment for a consultation Resources for those providing assistance to enrollees If you plan on providing assistance to enrollees with their Marketplace plans, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for more information on becoming a Navigator or certified application counselor. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES HIV Education & Outreach Tuberculosis Elimination Outreach Capacity Building Initiatives COVID-19 & Influenza
- OUR WORK | APIAHF
MAKE A DONATION Frequently asked questions are answered below. Thank you! Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Amount $25 $25 $100 $100 $250 $250 $500 $500 Other Other 0/100 Please add any comments or dedications. DONATE $25 Our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities need your help to eliminate health disparities and advance health equity. For more than three decades, APIAHF has influenced policy, mobilized communities, and strengthened programs and organizations to improve the health of AANHPIs. We connect community members with decision makers to develop solutions towards better health outcomes for all AANPHIs in the U.S. and U.S. Territories. Our network has assisted over a million people in nearly every state in 56 languages to gain healthcare. Still, there is more to achieve. And to ensure health equity for our communities, APIAHF needs your support and partnership. Thank you for championing better health outcomes for our communities! • Can I send a check instead of an online donation? Please make checks payable to "APIAHF" you can mail them to: APIAHF 461 Bush St Suite #400 San Francisco, CA 94108 • Can I send a wire transfer or stock certificate as a donation? Please call us at 415-568-3301 for more information on wire transfers and stock certificate processing. • Is this donation tax deductible? Yes. We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation. • What if I still have a question? Please call us at 415-568-3301 and we'll be happy to answer any other questions you have. FOSTER A HEALTHIER FUTURE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DONATE —
- LEADING AANHPI HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS STATEMENT ON HHS REORGANIZATION
APRIL 7, 2025 PRESS RELEASE LEADING AANHPI HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS STATEMENT ON HHS REORGANIZATION APRIL 7, 2025 WASHINGTON —The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL), and National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) raised concerns about the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its potential consequences for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. “The reorganization of HHS must be undertaken with a firm commitment to addressing the health challenges and disparities that AANHPI communities continue to face,” said Juliet K. Choi, president & CEO of APIAHF. “We are concerned that the changes to HHS’s structure could inadvertently dilute resources that are essential to ensuring culturally and linguistically competent care for our communities. We urge HHS to ensure that the reorganization does not weaken efforts to tackle evidence-based persistent health disparities and access to services in local communities, and to progress our shared goal of helping all Americans.” AANHPI populations have long faced systemic barriers to healthcare access, including a lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate services, and significant disparities in chronic disease prevalence, the utilization of mental health services, and tobacco cessation. We are particularly alarmed by the dismantling of HHS regional offices, many of which work directly with AANHPI communities. These offices serve as critical points of engagement, providing essential services, outreach, and resources that support positive health outcomes in historically underserved communities. Their elimination could further isolate AANHPI populations from necessary healthcare services and mask the immediate needs from communities that are struggling. “We urge HHS to provide transparency and meaningful engagement with community stakeholders as it moves forward with this reorganization,” added Rod Lew, Executive Director of APPEA L. “The voices of AANHPI communities must be at the table to ensure their health needs are not overlooked. We remain committed to working with federal partners to ensure the health of our communities remains a central focus of all policy and organizational decisions.” “Our physicians are providing care to AANHPI patients in many settings, including community clinics, academic centers, small practices and public health settings,” remarked Winston Wong, MD, chair & CEO of NCAPIP . “These dramatic reductions to the HHS workforce directly impact the quality and availability of services to AANHPI patients and communities that rely on our physicians to meet their special cultural and linguistic needs.” # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. # # # Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL) is a national organization working towards social justice and a tobacco-free Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) community. # # # NCAPIP was established 15 years ago to support physicians to meet the needs of their AANHPI communities. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES
- APIAHF WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER
JANUARY 16, 2025 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER JANUARY 16, 2025 WASHINGTON —The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Shen to its Board of Directors. “We are honored to welcome Albert Shen to our Board,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF. “Albert’s distinguished career spanning civic engagement, public service, and the private sector brings a wealth of expertise and a multifaceted perspective that aligns with our vision and mission to advance health equity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.” “Albert’s deep commitment to our community and his diverse professional experiences will be invaluable as we work to improve the health and well-being of AANHPI communities across the nation,” said Neal Shah, Board Chair of APIAHF. “We look forward to leveraging his leadership and insights to strengthen our initiatives.” Albert Shen currently serves as a Senior Federal Client Partner at Verizon, where he leads digital transformation strategies for federal government and public sector clients. Prior to Verizon, Shen held senior advisory positions at Toyota North America, focusing on sustainability and innovation. During the Obama Administration, he served as Deputy National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, where he championed initiatives to empower minority-owned businesses. A recognized leader in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, Shen has served on several nonprofit boards, including as Board Chair of the Asian American Action Fund (AAAFund) PAC. His dedication to public service and community advocacy continues to make a meaningful impact nationwide. # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES


