Imagine Being Refused Medical Care on the Basis of Your Very Existence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2019
Contact: Jennifer Wang

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Trump administration released a proposed rule that would remove discrimination protections under the “Health Care Rights Law,” or Section 1557, of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a provision that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or language proficiency. In response to this rule, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement: 

“The “Health Care Rights Law,” a cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act, ensured that the most underserved communities — LGBTQ folks, immigrants, and people with disabilities — would not be left behind in our country’s efforts to improve access to healthcare. Today’s announcement means that many in the AAPI community may be refused basic care because of who they love, where they come from, or what language they speak. Imagine being refused vital medical care simply on the basis of your very existence. 

“This rule is an assault on the very idea that health care is not a privilege but a human right. Being healthy is not just the ability to obtain healthcare — it also includes the dignity and peace of mind of seeking care without fear of discrimination. Throughout our country’s history, AAPI women have faced endless discrimination based on our national origin, language proficiency, and sexual orientation. NAPAWF will not let this barbaric removal of basic protections from discrimination in our health care hinder our efforts to build our collective power and ensure that all AAPI women, their families, and communities can be healthy and thrive.”

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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 (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build collective power so that all AAPI women and girls can have full agency over our lives, our families, and our communities.