By Valentina Athena, AsAmNews Intern
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is taking the lead in introducing The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024, aimed at making the health care system fair and more accessible to all.
“The Hirono Act will systematically improve the healthcare to ensure that all Americans no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or language background can stay healthy”, stated Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chair of the CAPAC Healthcare Task Force. “Too frequently, underprivileged populations’ healthcare needs—such as those of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)—are not sufficiently satisfied.”
CAPAC is working with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in hopes of pushing the bill through Congress.
Marginalized groups face unique health challenges, including higher rates of diseases such as Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis, and often encounter cultural and language barriers in accessing necessary healthcare.
Rep. Judy Chu(D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, adds that “Asian Americans who comprise about 7% of the US population experience about 60% of the Chronic Hepatitis B burden and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are more than twice as likely as White people to die from diabetes.”
These disparities stem from various factors, including higher rates of uninsurance, language and cultural barriers, and environmental pollution, all of which restrict communities of color from accessing quality care.
“Language access is also particularly significant as an issue for the AANHPI community with more than a third of AANHPI’s having limited English proficiency”, Chu said.
During the news conference, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) states, “Healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
This bill “covers everything from data collection and community competent, culturally competent care to research for diseases like diabetes and HIV and so much more”, Senator Hirono adds.
The act fundamentally lays the groundwork for the U.S. in which the healthcare needs of all Americans are better met by better understanding and directly targeting the challenges AANHPI communities face.
These members of Congress are dedicated to advancing this bill as they recognize that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right for all citizens.
Their unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for everyone, ensures that this vision will become a reality.
The group says that it is more crucial than ever to stick to their commitment to health equity as Project 2025 picks up steam and amid the Republican Party’s repeated attempts to dismantle the ACA, as highlighted by Senator Hirono.
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