The White House has released a fact sheet detailing the ways in which the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aids Asian Americans.
The bill was created by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and was passed by the House on August 12. President Biden signed the bill into law on August 16.
The legislation reduces prescription drug costs, health care costs, and energy costs. Its proponents say it will help increase access to medical services and combat climate change, actions that will benefit all Americans including AAPIs.
More specifically, The White House says the law will help AAPIs by lowering monthly premiums. According to their factsheet, 197,000 AAPIs became newly eligible for premium savings last year. The White House estimates that 120,000 AAPIs will have healthcare coverage next year because of the IRA.
The COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for thousands of AAPIs to access health care coverage. The law will provide much-needed relief.
“For many, this means worrying less about choosing between paying for food or medicine. This law could not have come at a better time,” Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), said in a statement applauding the passage of the IRA.
Many Native Hawaiian leaders also believe the law will benefit their communities.
“This act will help close the gap and lower costs so that our disadvantaged communities have greater access to medical support as well as drug care,” said Kuhio Lewis, CEO of Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, according to KITV.
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