Being a physician in America carries both privilege and responsibility. It is our privilege to care for patients, their families and communities, and it is our responsibility to provide a physician voice to fight for the health care needs of our communities. With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we must assure that physicians that serve our communities actively shape health care in the 21st century so we can achieve equity in quality and access.We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, believe that access and coverage to care should be based not only on the principle of affordable, universal health care coverage for all Americans, but also address cultural and linguistic barriers to care.We urge that state regulations governing health insurance marketplaces include ethnic minority physicians and health professionals as “essential community providers” (ECP) in order to offer a diversity of options that meet the needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander and other underserved communities.

We believe that low-income, medically indigent Asian American and Pacific Islander patients must have patient centered medical homes that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. We urge that health system reform include payment and resources to support physicians in underserved communities, particularly those in solo or small group practices, so that they can provide health care that is culturally and linguistically attuned to their community’s needs.

We urge that “virtual” integrated health delivery systems, such as “accountable care organizations” (ACO) support the full participation and reimbursement of solo practitioners and small group practices and provide for the inclusion of community based organizations as part of “transitional” care programs to reduce patient readmission rates.

The positions supported by NCAPIP physician leaders and allies advance not only the needs of our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, but the vision of a health care system that is just, accessible, and supports the aspirations of our future generations, and create the conditions for optimal health for all.

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http://takeaction.ncapip.net/TakeAction/index.html