For immediate release
March 23, 2012
Press contact: Deborah Wang (330) 645-5805; dwang@asiaohio.org
As ACA Turns 2, ASIA Thanks U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton for Supporting AAPI Health
AKRON – For the 2nd anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Asian Services In Action (ASIA) delivered a cake on March 23 to the office of U.S. Representative Betty Sutton (OH-13) to thank her and her staff for supporting the ACA.
“Two things that ASIA really works to do are reduce health disparities and increase access to health care for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” said Deborah Wang as she presented the cake to the Congresswoman’s staff. “Many provisions of the ACA do just that.”
In accordance with the ACA, the federal department of Health & Human Services will begin improving health data collection with new, refined categories for Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs). These additional categories will help capture API-specific health risks currently overlooked by care providers, such as high rates of Type II diabetes and Hepatitis B.
Additionally, in line with the ACA, new health insurance plans or policies beginning on or after September 23, 2010 must offer free adult preventive services which will help fight health disparities among APIs. These services include but are not limited to diabetes screening, immunization vaccines (including the Hepatitis B vaccine), and diet counseling.
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Founded in 1995, Asian Services In Action’s mission is to empower Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Northeastern Ohio to access quality, culturally, and linguistically appropriate information and services. ASIA serves over 8,000 people annually. Follow ASIA on Facebook and Twitter!