JULY 18, 2025 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF ALARMED BY DOJ GUIDANCE UNDERMINING LEP PROTECTIONS FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER 14224 JULY 18, 2025 WASHINGTON —The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) expresses deep concern over the U.S. Department of Justice’s new guidance to federal agencies implementing Executive Order 14224, which revokes Executive Order 13166, a longstanding mandate requiring federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to ensure meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). For nearly 25 years, Executive Order 13166 has been a foundational safeguard for civil rights and language access in federal programs. Its revocation represents a major step backward for the more than 25 million individuals in the U.S. with limited English proficiency, disproportionately harming Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Latino, and immigrant communities who rely on equitable access to essential services. "The Department of Justice’s new guidance undermines decades of progress in making our government more accessible and accountable to all people, regardless of the language they speak," said Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of APIAHF. "Language access is not a luxury—it is a civil right." Executive Order 13166, issued in 2000, built on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin. Courts and federal agencies have long recognized that failing to provide language assistance can constitute such discrimination. The DOJ’s new interpretation weakens this legal framework by reframing language access as discretionary rather than a core requirement for compliance. The new DOJ guidance will create confusion and uneven standards across agencies, leading to reduced access to health care, public safety, housing, and other essential services. "This is not a matter of bureaucracy—it’s about ensuring that a mother can understand how to access care for her child, that an elder can understand warnings during a natural disaster, that a worker can report abuse or fraud without facing a language barrier. The consequences of this rollback are real and dangerous," said Choi. APIAHF calls on Congress and federal agencies to restore and reaffirm strong, consistent protections for LEP individuals. The organization also urges local and state governments, as well as nonprofit service providers, to continue upholding robust language access standards in their programs and policies. # # # 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

PROGRAM COORDINATOR LENAYA KIMBALL PROGRAM COORDINATOR OUR BOARD OUR LEADERSHIP OUR STAFF ABOUT OUR STAFF — Lenaya a program coordinator for Capacity for Health (C4H), the national capacity building program of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. She currently coordinates and leads the onboarding process for the National Learning Community for HIV Leadership. She brings a unique lens to her team, with diverse background experiences in biotech, hospital administration, nonprofits and self-employment. Prior to coming to APIAHF, Lenaya has explored many avenues to marry her need for creative expression and her calling to heal. She has run both a food business and a doula practice. Trained in health supportive cooking, herbal medicine making and certified as a birth and postpartum doula; Lenaya believes in a holistic approach to wellness on the personal, community and environmental level. “Along my journey, I have come to realize that everything is connected, we cannot address the environment, the economy, public health, etc. without inclusivity. It is at the intersection in the full richness of life, that we gain perspective to address our collective needs.” -Lenaya Next Item Previous Item BACK TO ALL STAFF

FEBRUARY 13, 2025 PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT ON THE CONFIRMATION OF ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR. AS SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 13, 2025 WASHINGTON —Today, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal agency responsible for safeguarding public health and ensuring access to critical healthcare services. With a workforce of over 80,000, HHS oversees key agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHA), Administration for Children & Families (ACF), and Administration for Community Living (ACL). Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, issued the following statement: “As Secretary Kennedy takes on this critical role, we acknowledge his Senate hearing commitment to expand access to healthcare for vulnerable communities. We encourage him to bolster public trust in investing in our public health infrastructure, including vaccine education and access, Medicaid and Medicare, and tackling health disparities based on data-driven and evidence-based research. "We remain dedicated to working with Secretary Kennedy and the Administration to improve the health and well-being of all Americans and hard-working families and ensuring those most in need receive the care and support they deserve.” # # # 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 advances the collection, reporting and analysis of detailed data to make sure Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are visible and heard. DATA DISAGGREGATION WHAT WE DO APIAHF advances the collection, reporting and analysis of detailed data to make sure Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are visible and heard. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR POLICY WORK Expanding Access to Healthcare HEAA Medicare and Medicaid Human Equity and Human Rights OUR POSITION APIAHF believes that detailed and accurate data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination at the federal, state and local levels is essential to having diverse communities be visible and represented. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders trace their heritage to more than 50 different countries and speak more than 100 different languages. Yet, when diverse communities are considered as one, the resulting data leads to inaccurate policy assumptions and poorly targeted investments that undermine equity for all. APIAHF works to ensure that the distinct social, health, educational and economic differences within Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are represented in policy, research and advocacy. APIAHF advocates for comprehensive data collection and analysis that is scientifically robust and refined in its results, through strategies that include combining multiple years of data for analyses of smaller populations, proper sampling methodologies including oversampling, and ensuring that surveys are administered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. 30 YEARS ADVANCING DATA EQUITY Since our founding 1986, APIAHF has been a leader in advocating for health data equity, serving as a national convener and working with state and local community-based organizations to advance the issue. This focus, and the major impetus for the creation of APIAHF, originated with the 1985 Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health (“Heckler Report”). This foundational report, by then U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler, was one of the first comprehensive government reviews of minority health disparities, but incorrectly concluded that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) were healthier than other minorities, despite only analyzing aggregated data. Since then, APIAHF has successfully led advocacy for the collection, analysis, and reporting of AA and NHPI data through successful legislative and administrative strategies, nationally funded partnerships, and as a thought leader on data equity. OUR STRATEGIES APIAHF works to increase data and research on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities by supporting: Standardized collection of data on race, ethnicity, primary language and sociodemographic factors. Efforts to collect data in health surveys, hospitals and health care organizations and plans. Increased data collection and reporting by federal agencies. Adequate resources to support efforts to collect Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health data. Partnerships with funders and state and local health advocates to advance data equity at the local level. Policy Recommendations: Health Equity Cannot Be Achieved Without Complete and Transparent Data Collection and the Disaggregation of Data FEBRUARY 2021 - HEALTH BRIEF READ MORE Advocating for Data Disaggregation by Race and Ethnicity MAY 2021 READ MORE POLICY DATA AGGREGATION — LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR POLICY WORK Expanding Access to Healthcare Expanding Access to Healthcare Medicare and Medicaid Human Equity and Human Rights HEAA POLICY — EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE DATA DISAGGREGATION MEDICARE & MEDICAID HUMAN EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS HEAA

DECEMBER 5, 2025 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF & NCAPIP STATEMENT ON VOTE TO END UNIVERSAL HEPATITIS B SHOTS FOR NEWBORNS DECEMBER 5, 2025 WASHINGTON —Today, a federal vaccine advisory committee voted 8–3 to recommend ending the longstanding policy that all U.S. newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The new guidance suggests that only infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B, or whose maternal infection status is unknown, should be guaranteed the birth dose. For all other infants, the decision would be deferred to parents and doctors. “We are deeply concerned by today’s vote. The universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has been a critical public health safeguard—especially for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities that bear a disproportionate burden of chronic hepatitis B and account for over 50–58% of all Americans living with chronic hepatitis B," said Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of APIAHF. "Removing this broad protection will not only jeopardize decades of progress, it will leave too many infants vulnerable simply because of gaps in maternal testing or delayed diagnosis. We call on public health leaders to uphold proven, equitable preventative care.” “The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and it works — physicians and other medical professionals have administered the vaccine for over 40 years with millions of doses given," said Susan Wu, MD, Pediatrician and Board Member, NCAPIP. "Eliminating universal Hepatitis B vaccine at birth will result in more children becoming infected with a disease which is preventable and has no cure.“ APIAHF and NCAPIP urge federal and state health authorities, hospitals, and pediatric providers to continue offering the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine as standard practice and encourage parents, especially in AANHPI and other high-risk communities, to consult with their healthcare providers about timely vaccination. # # # Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice. NCAPIP represents Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander physicians committed to the advancement of the health and well-being of their patients and communities, with the goal of optimal health for all. BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES

​APIAHF - Our Board OUR BOARD — SHERI HAMAMOTO BOYLE, PhD, MSW CHAIRPERSON ALBERT SHEN VICE CHAIR AND TREASURER KARIN WANG, JD SECRETARY NELLY GANESAN AT LARGE CHANG RIM NA, MD, MPH AT LARGE BLEU BLAKSLEE SOHINI GUPTA JEANETTE QUICK, JD JENNIFER RASING JENNIFER "JAE" REQUIRO SHELDON RIKLON, MD JEFFREY S. ROH, MD, MBA, MSc NEAL SHAH, JD, MPH SHAO-CHEE SIM, PhD, MPA HEANG K. TAN

Since 2003, the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) has been introduced by the Congressional Tri-Caucus, comprised of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). CAPAC is leading the introduction of HEAA for the 118th Congress, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CAPAC Health Task Force Co-Chair) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono are the lead sponsors. WHAT WE DO APIAHF works to ensure that all Americans have access to health coverage and quality care that they can afford and rely on, no matter where they come from or what language they speak. POLICY — HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT POLICY — EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE DATA DISAGGREGATION MEDICARE & MEDICAID HUMAN EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS HEAA POLICY HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HEAA) — HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABLILITY ACT (HEAA) ABOUT HEAA The Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) is a comprehensive and strategic legislative blueprint that aims to eliminate racial and ethnic health inequities. HEAA is the only legislation that directly addresses the intersection of health inequities with race and ethnicity, as well as immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language, and socio-economic status. Since 2003, HEAA has been introduced by the Congressional Tri-Caucus, comprised of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). CAPAC is leading the introduction of HEAA for the 118th Congress, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CAPAC Health Task Force Co-Chair) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono are the lead sponsors. This Congress will be the first time HEAA will have a bicameral introduction. Over 300 racial and health equity organizations, researchers, provider groups, and community-based organizations have contributed to the development of HEAA since its inception. Additionally, over 150 Members of Congress have co-sponsored HEAA over the past decade. HEAA builds on the gains made under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and lays out a vision of additional investments and policy reforms Congress should make to enhance the health and well-being of communities that are underserved and marginalized, address systemic health inequities, and ensure access to high quality and affordable health care for all. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 118TH CONGRESS INTRODUCTION OF HEAA FULL BILL TEXT ONE-PAGER ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS MEDIA “Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care, but health disparities prevent many marginalized and underserved communities from accessing these essential resources and services. The Health Equity and Accountability Act will help to dismantle these barriers by implementing comprehensive provisions to address inequities, including strengthening data collection, increasing access to health services and resources, and diversifying the health care workforce. I am proud to lead this effort and will continue working to ensure that communities across Hawaii and throughout the country have access to the affordable and equitable health care they deserve.” Senator Mazie K. Hirono “Higher uninsured rates, language and cultural barriers to care, social determinants, and greater exposure to pollution are just a few of the factors that threaten and hurt the health of Americans of color. The Health Equity and Accountability Act would create a healthcare system that works for all Americans – no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, or language ability – by advancing culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, improving data reporting, addressing diseases that disproportionately harm certain communities, and so much more. This legislation is a necessary step to take for health equity to be a reality for all, and I am honored to once again join Congressmember Lee and Senator Hirono to lead the introduction of this bold, legislative vision on behalf of the Tri-Caucus this Congress.” CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu “As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I’m proud to join the Tri-Caucus Chairs and leading Congressional Members in introducing the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024. HEAA is a bold, comprehensive vision to address persistent ethnic and racial health disparities to improve health outcomes for people of color, including millions of Latino families. Data shows Latinos, like many minority populations and underserved communities, face uphill challenges in accessing affordable and high-quality healthcare. This legislation is a critical step toward a fairer healthcare system that prioritizes health equity for all.” CHC Chair Rep. Nanette Barragán “As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Healthcare Taskforce, and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am proud to lead the re-introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA). HEAA is a bold, comprehensive vision for addressing racial health disparities and improving health outcomes in communities of color and the underserved. It’s the only legislation that directly addresses the intersections of health inequities and race and ethnicity. We need to pass HEAA to address the underlying challenges that prevent communities of color and underserved communities from gaining coverage and accessing high-quality, affordable health care. With the help of our advocates and partners, I know Congress can act to create a truly just health care system for all.” Congresswoman Barbara Lee “For generations, Black Americans have faced persistent disparities in health outcomes and access to quality, affordable health care in our nation. The Tri-Caucus is committed to removing barriers and expanding access to healthcare in our communities. The CBC is proud to join our Tri-Caucus partners in cosponsoring the Health Equity and Accountability Act which will take significant steps towards removing systemic barriers, improving outcomes, and making our communities healthier.” CBC Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford “Every person should have high quality and affordable health care regardless of where they live, language they speak, or ability to pay. HEAA is visionary legislation to address the vast inequities facing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and all communities who are underserved in every sector of our health care system, including vulnerable populations getting care at community health centers. AAPCHO is proud to join Senator Hirono, Congresswoman Lee, Congresswoman Chu, and the Congressional Tri Caucus in introducing HEAA in the 118th Congress. We appreciate our partnership with APIAHF and the broad coalition of patient, provider, disease, and civil rights groups who contributed to this bill. We look forward to Congress advancing HEAA’s vision of a health care system that truly meets the needs of our nation’s diverse communities.” Jeffrey B. Caballero, MPH, executive director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations “As our nation's demographics change, so do our health needs. Underserved and underrepresented communities face substantial barriers to obtaining quality health care and equitable health outcomes. APIAHF is proud to lead the 118th Congress's reintroduction of HEAA, with AAPCHO, to tackle these health disparities head on. HEAA invests in culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and health services, creates a pipeline for an inclusive workforce, and deploys innovative strategies to reach communities regardless of region, immigration status, gender, ethnicity, age, or disability. Achieving health equity requires a multi-faceted approach, and HEAA provides a blueprint to do exactly that.” Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum IN THE NEWS CONGRESSIONAL PRESS RELEASE APIAHF PRESS RELEASE PRESS EVENT FOR INTRODUCTION TO HEAA OVERVIEW OF HEAA'S TITLES Title I focuses on the collection and reporting of data related to disparities associated with the demographic factors of race, ethnicity, sex, primary written and spoken language, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and socioeconomic status. It creates a commission and a task force to explore data collection practices to achieve health equity and best practices to integrate artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias, respectively. It also expands the scope of impact for programs that understand and address minority health concerns and health disparities. Title II focuses on improving access to and the quality of care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate through pilot programs that test interpreting services, federal reimbursement of language access services in Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare, and accountability of federal programs providing Federal financial assistance. Title III recognizes the need to improve the diversity and quality of the nation’s whole health care workforce. It provides grant and loan repayment programs to promote inclusion in a number of different health professions. It focuses on directing funding to underrepresented students who may not otherwise be able to achieve the education needed to participate in the workforce. Title III also provides resources to medical institutions to allow them to better provide growth opportunities for their staff. Title IV addresses systemic barriers to quality care for disparities-impacted populations through expanding coverage, improving access, innovating in delivery, and creating health empowerment zones. It brings down barriers to coverage for immigrants, people living in U.S. territories, Native Americans, Medicare beneficiaries, and at-risk youth. It improves community health, funding for providers of care, addresses rural health needs, and ensures those enrolled in health insurance can access the providers and benefits they need. It recognizes the ongoing efforts in delivery and payment system reforms and the need to include the impact on health disparities in those efforts. Title V addresses a range of sexual and reproductive health needs, including pregnancy-related care, as well as infant and child health needs for historically and currently excluded and underserved individuals and communities. It seeks to dismantle barriers to and inequities in access to health and health-related services and coverage, information and education, and other vital resources. It also focuses on the research, tools, data-based models, workforce capacity-building, programs, and other resources necessary to promote the health and wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and other people of color; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, gender non conforming, and nonbinary (LGBTQ+) people; immigrants; infants; children; and families. Title VI focuses on strengthening protective factors and resources that bolster mental health, and on eliminating structural barriers that contribute to mental health and substance use disorder inequities. The title addresses the interplay between structural factors and traumas including systemic racism and discrimination, violence, adverse weather events, and COVID-19 and the resulting mental health impacts for the communities of focus under this act. Provisions provide for expanding coverage and access to necessary supports and services across community settings; promising interventions through demonstration projects; research to enhance knowledge and understanding of mental health and substance use inequities; strengthening the mental health workforce; and strategies to address unmet needs in underserved populations Title VII addresses high-impact minority diseases through expansion of research, funding, screenings, testing, access, and treatment and prevention including: cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, and other chronic diseases. The title specifically focuses on diversity in clinical trials, Medicare coverage gaps, improvements and outreach in Alzheimer’s disease research, and patient-centered approaches. Title VIII updates the definition of certified electronic health information technology, requires assessments of and provides funding opportunities for adoption of health information technology in racial and ethnic minority communities, and extends Medicaid electronic health record incentive payments to community health centers, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care, home health agencies, and physician assistants. Title IX ensures the federal government is responsive to, and responsible and held accountable for, efforts to reduce health inequities and disparities. It expands civil rights protections for anyone operating with Federal financial assistance, ensures populations in correctional facilities receive care, and ensures that there is transparency in how protections are enforced. Requires a number of reports on how the government is addressing health inequities and disparities. Title X defines social determinants of health, and the role they play in creating health inequities. The title also describes the relationship between built environments and health, and how health income assessments and the implementation of evidence-based programs can remediate environmental hazards in communities. Sec. 1005 specifically calls for the creation of a CDC grant program to address these root causes. Title X also includes language on environmental justice, specifically in regard to clean air rules, lead and radon exposure, gun violence research and the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf Coast. PAST ITERATIONS OF HEAA — 117th Congress: HR 7585 , S 4486 116th Congress: HR 6637 , S 4819 115th Congress: HR 5942 , S 3660 114th Congress: HR 5475 113th Congress: HR 5294 112th Congress: HR 3954 111th Congress: HR 3090 110th Congress: HR 3014 109th Congress: HR 3561 108th Congress: HR 3459 APIAHF'S HISTORY WITH HEAA APIAHF has been a community working group lead of HEAA in 2005, 2011, and 2018, and a co-lead with AAPCHO in 2024. As a community working group lead, APIAHF works with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) on bill revisions and introduction; and organizes and directs the working group to provide feedback on the current iteration of HEAA. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR POLICY WORK Expanding Access To Healthcare Data Disaggregation Medicare and Medicaid Human Equity and Human Rights LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR POLICY WORK Expanding Access to Healthcare Data Disaggregation Medicare and Medicaid Human Equity and Human Rights Expanding Access To Healthcare

JUNE 18, 2024 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF APPLAUDS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES JUNE 18, 2024 WASHINGTON —Today, on the 12th Anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, President Biden announced two new immigration actions that continue his commitment to protecting immigrant communities. Eligible spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have lived in the U.S. for ten or more years will not need to leave the U.S., and they can remain with their families when applying for a “green card." They can also continue to legally work and receive protection from deportation while they wait. Dreamers who have earned a degree from a U.S. college or university and have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer can now quickly secure a work visa. Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and former Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, gave the following statement: “President Biden continues to improve the lives and conditions for immigrant communities and builds upon his Spring announcement of expanding health coverage for DACA recipients by opening coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about ten percent of DACA recipients, and half of all DACA recipients are college graduates. This new process will expedite their work visa from six months to two weeks. “The administration’s announcement to keep families together and working during the green card process underscores the President’s commitment to our values and makes America safer and stronger.” ### 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

MARCH 28, 2024 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF APPLAUDS OMB REVISIONS TO DIRECTIVE 15 FOR ACCURATE, INCLUSIVE FEDERAL DATA STANDARDS MARCH 28, 2024 WASHINGTON —Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. The revised standards modernize the collection of race and ethnicity data and improve how federal agencies analyze and publish that data. Directive 15 was last updated in 1997 to create separate “Asian” and “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and expand “Hispanic” to include “Hispanic or Latino.” APIAHF President & CEO Juliet K. Choi released the following statement: “APIAHF is proud to have advocated for revised standards, including submitting comments with over 40 national, state, and local partners through the regulatory process, that would reflect the communities that span our great nation. The updated Directive 15 is the culmination of work across all communities and between federal agencies toward data equity in the U.S. “In particular, we applaud including the new Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) category. We know first-hand the importance of communities being seen and represented, and this new designation will mean critical resources, including in-language, can be delivered to MENA communities. We also applaud OMB’s commitment to revising these standards and establishing a regular review ahead of each decennial census. “We look to OMB’s continued commitment to build upon this great work by requiring all federal departments and agencies to collect, analyze, use, report, and disseminate disaggregated data on communities as the minimum standards. Accurate, inclusive data is core to the work that we can achieve and has a meaningful impact on how resources are allocated. We look forward to continuing collaboration with OMB as they work to implement these new revisions.” # # # BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 PRESS RELEASE APIAHF APPLAUDS THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. KAMANA'OPONO M. CRABBE TO THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ASIAN AMERICANS, NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 WASHINGTON —APIAHF Counselor Dr. Kamana‘opono M. Crabbe was sworn in as a Commissioner on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The Commission, co-chaired by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, advises the President on ways the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. “We are thrilled that President Biden has appointed Dr. Kamana‘opono M. Crabbe to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander,” said Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. “A life-long advocate for health equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and a revered elder, Dr. Crabbe will bring a wealth of expertise and insight to the Commission.” Dr. Crabbe is a seasoned spokesperson and representative for the Native Hawaiian community on Native Hawaiian rights, social inequities, community health and resilience, and cultural, educational, economic, and political issues affecting Native Hawaiians, Hawai‘i and the Pacific. For over 30 years, he has focused his personal, academic, and professional career toward improving Native Hawaiian health and well-being. He has received several formal awards recognizing his executive leadership and accomplishments, such as the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education Leadership Award, The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Native Hawaiian Advocate Award, and the Hawai‘i Psychological Association’s Patrick H. DeLeon, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a board member for several organizations including aio Foundation, `Aha Kane Foundation for the Advancement of Native Hawaiian Males, and Ekolu Mea Nui nonprofit. APIAHF congratulates all the new Commissioners who were sworn in including the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Executive Director Krystal Ka’ai; APIAHF’s Community Partner ACDC founder and president Vida Lin; and Sameera Fazili. The official White House announcement can be found here . ### BACK TO PRESS RELEASES Next Item Previous Item BACK TO PRESS RELEASES

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