FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dorothy He
(872) 600-9517 / dhe@napawf.org

Today, Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced joint legislation known as the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA). Sponsored by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus this year, HEAA is a comprehensive and intersectional bill aimed at eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement in response:

“NAPAWF is proud to support the Health Equity and Accountability Act once again. HEAA is a bill that would advance health access and outcomes for AAPI women regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, disability status, age, language proficiency, and socio-economic status. We applaud the Congressional Tri-Caucus in their continuous efforts to eliminate health disparities at a time when our access to health, from basic preventive services to affordable abortion care, is under constant attack.

“HEAA addresses some of the most pressing barriers in health access facing AAPIs by enhancing culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, supporting the collection of accurate and disaggregated data, and ensuring that immigrants are protected from immigration enforcement in sensitive locations. For instance, it improves Medicaid coverage for breast and cervical cancer patients in Guam and American Samoa. It also provides resources to fight diseases that disproportionately impact the AAPI community.

“Furthermore, we are especially pleased with the bill’s efforts to expand access to sexual and reproductive health through a commitment to comprehensive sex education, access to sexual health services, resources to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity, and use of gender-inclusive language.

“HEAA brings us one step closer to achieving reproductive justice for AAPIs by recognizing that access to healthcare for AAPI women requires a comprehensive, intersectional approach. We enthusiastically support HEAA’s reintroduction and encourage Members of Congress to cosponsor this critical bill for our community.”

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The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, progressive, community organizing and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build a movement to advance social justice and human rights for Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls.