Asian Americans applaud Senate approval of the 'Inflation Reduction Act'

Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act.

After 24 hours of Republican attempts to sabotage the "Inflation Reduction Act," the Senate passed a historic budget reconciliation package after rejecting a series of harsh immigration enforcement provisions.

The "IRA," boosted by the White House, includes a myriad of federal programs affecting climate change, tax enforcement, and healthcare.

The Sunday (August 7) vote was strictly along party lines, 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the deciding vote. "This afternoon I cast the tie-breaking vote on the Inflation Reduction Act," she said. "This bill will help lower inflation and the cost of living for millions of American families—lowering the cost of health care, prescription drugs, and everyday energy costs."

 

Some of the "poison pills" introduced by the GOP included amendments worsening the immigration system. “Efforts to dismantle the asylum system, restrict family migration, unjustly target and surveil immigrant communities, and increase enforcement or militarize the border, are immoral, extreme, and run counter to American values. Senators should remember that their constituents want economic opportunities, not amendments that would harm immigrant families who make our communities stronger,” said Martin Kim, Associate Director of Immigration Advocacy at Advancing Justice – AAJC.

Although Democrats were able to fight off the poison pills introduced by the GOP senators, the version of the bill that was introduced did not include any positive immigration provisions either, despite previous hopes last year a reconciliation bill might include immigration.

Senate Democrats held firm on voting against a mandatory extension of Title 42, as well as several other harmful immigration amendments. Title 42, as enforced by the Trump Administration designated hundreds of thousands of migrants for “expulsion,” arguing that allowing these migrants to enter the U.S. may increase the spread of COVID-19.

One immigration amendment introduced by GOP Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma would have given the Department of Homeland Security a symbolic $1,000,000 to continue Title 42 indefinitely until 120 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is terminated, something that is not likely to happen for years. Democrats managed to hold firm against this amendment and defeated it 50-50 by offering a second option for vulnerable members who have previously supported more modest extension of Title 42. That option was a vote for a modified version of a bipartisan bill Lankford had previously put forward with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and other Senate moderates. That vote ultimately failed as well, because it required a 60-vote threshold, allowing six vulnerable Democratic senators to join with the Republican caucus and vote in favor, while knowing the amendment would not pass.

Some Republican amendments were defeated without requiring Democrats to offer an alternative for their more vulnerable members to be able to vote for instead. For example, GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida offered an amendment which would block the hiring of any new Internal Revenue Service agents until the Border Patrol hired an additional 18,000 agents “over the top” of the agency’s current total of nearly 20,000 agents. That amendment was defeated on a 50-50 vote.

Although anti-immigrant measures were rejected throughout the night, many immigration advocates and affected community members expressed concerns about the lack of positive immigration amendments in the final bill, such as visa recapture and other legislative priorities. The next chance for many of those provisions is an upcoming vote on the National Defense Authorization Act. The version of that bill that passed out of the House of Representatives contained protections for so-called “documented dreamers,” as well as increased support for Afghan evacuees and their families.

Other amendments aimed to strip out climate-related funding to DHS and replace it with funds for immigration enforcement. An amendment offered by GOP Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee would have eliminated $500 million to DHS for climate resiliency and climate-change-related disaster relief and replaced it with a $440 million slush fund for Immigration and Customs Enforcement that had to be spent in the next two months on deporting and arresting individuals who committed felonies. Another amendment would have stripped out the same climate funding and instead redirected that money to building new border wall. Each of those amendments was defeated in turn.

“The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the cost of health care coverage for millions of Americans by extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, which impacts nearly 200,000 Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, and an estimated 50,000 will continue to be eligible for zero-premium Marketplace plans with these subsidies," said Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF).

“For the first time ever, this bill allows Medicare to negotiate the prices of medicines directly and caps out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 per year. By reining in health care costs, this legislation will provide better access to affordable health care for underserved families, particularly for families of color.

The House is expected to vote on the Senate revisions this week where it will likely receive a warm reception.

The Chairs of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauded the recent Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu, CBC Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty and CHC Chair Rep. Raul Ruiz released the following statement:

“The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic piece of legislation that will lower the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance, reduce everyday energy costs, invest in working families, create millions of well-paid union jobs, and will take big action to address the climate crisis. It has an equity lens to ensure that no community is left behind and that those impacted most by climate change and rising health care costs will significantly benefit. The Senate’s passage of this bill is a major step forward that will benefit rural communities and communities of color across the nation."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Breaking the Silence: Congressional Reps want May 10 declared as AANHPI Mental Health Day

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Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have traditionally  been reluctant to seek mental health assistance. In an attempt to bring attention to this silent statistic, the first Congressional resolution was introduced to recognize May 10 as AANHPI Mental Health Day.

“Our mental health is impacted by all aspects of our lives, yet it is a topic that AANHPIs seldom talk about," read a statement from the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). "This resolution can play a critical role in raising awareness around the importance of having difficult conversations while also recognizing that mental health is also about celebrating who we are as we embrace our cultural heritage.”

May 10 has been recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day in the State of California since 2010, but is not a federally recognized day yet. 

This federal resolution calls upon members of Congress to promote national awareness of mental health issues unique to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and urges State and local health agencies across the nation to improve the quality and availability of mental health services for this population. 

According to data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), AANHPIs have the lowest help-seeking rate of any racial/ethnic group, with only 23.3% of AANHPI adults with a mental illness receiving treatment in 2019. 

RELATED: How the mental health system fails AANHPI communities

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of death for Asian or Pacific Islander youth ages 15-24. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these problems as increased racial violence and discrimination against the Asian American community has increased the need for mental health services. 

“This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, more Americans than ever are rallying around our community to help stop anti-Asian hate. But there is another long-term threat to the wellbeing of our communities, and that is the lack of mental healthcare that meets the needs of the AANHPI community,” said Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, who sponsored the resolution and who is chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“Either because of stigma or the lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate care, many AANHPIs neglect their mental health, and it has resulted in disproportionate rates of problems like suicide and depression," said Chu. "That is why, today and for the rest of Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s essential that we urge all AANHPIs to take care of their mental health just as they would their physical health."

Chu was joined by U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui D0CA, Kai Kahele (HI-02), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) in introducing this resolution.

“Nearly all of us have a friend, family member, or loved one who lives with a mental illness. That is why it is critical that we continue to break down barriers to care and work to end the stigma in our communities,” said Matsui. 

“Especially over the past year, members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have been challenged by both the pandemic and the rise in anti-AAPI racism. Now, more than ever, we must meet this moment with a comprehensive health care strategy that prioritizes our mental health and well-being," said Matsui.

“AANHPI communities have some of the greatest mental health needs, but access to culturally competent and in-language services remain a barrier that has only been exasperated by the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and the surge in hate incidents,” said Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Trump doubles down on his use of "China virus" in describing the coronavirus

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Donald Trump at the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House.

Donald Trump's insistence on calling COVID-19 the "China virus" is spurring a rise in attacks, physical altercations or verbal abuse, against Asians.


Some of the nation’s leading civil rights and racial justice organizations issued a joint urgent call to action against racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The joint statement is in response to Trump's continued insistence in referring to the COVID-19 pandemic as the "China virus," in his tweets and news conference. Critics say his use of the term, along with Wuhan virus: 

“As our nation grapples with the coronavirus, we are deeply concerned that recent incidents of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans threaten our collective public safety. In recent weeks, Asian Americans have been subjected to violent attacks, discrimination against their businesses and xenophobic portrayal by the media and our elected leaders.

"We are often reminded of the xenophobic history of our nation—from the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act to the 2019 Public Charge Rule—our nation has always treated people of color and immigrants with suspicion. Coronavirus does not discriminate based on race or ethnicity.

"The World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic is a call to action—both to protect our collective public health and to remind us that we must stand together. We call on policymakers, the media and the public to take affirmative steps to halt and condemn xenophobia and to ensure that the health and safety of all Americans is protected.”

Signatories to the statement are:

Advancement Project, National Office, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Demos, Faith in Action, NAACP, National Congress of American Indians, National Urban League, Race Forward, and Unidos US are a collaborative of nine leading national Racial Equity Anchor Organizations supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 

In one instance, a CBS reporters said a White House staffer called it the "Kung Flu," is sparking a surge in attacks against Asian Americans.

When asked by reporters this morning at the coronavirus daily briefing, if he was offended by the use of "Kung Flu," and "China virus," he brusquely responded, “No, no, no,” ...“Not at all. I think they probably would agree with it 100 percent. It comes from China. There’s nothing not to agree with.”

A few hours later, Wednesday afternoon, the White House apparently received instructions to respond to the growing criticism with this tweet:

Director of the Centers for Disease Control Robert Redfield in Congressional hearings on March 10 went against Trump and GOP lawmakers and condemned the use of the term "China virus" and the CDC website issued guidelines against its use because of negative impact it has on Asian Americans.

However, in Tuesday's briefing, Trump pushed back at the suggestion that using the racist term creates a stigma.

"I don't think so. I think saying that our military gave it to them creates a stigma," Trump told reporters.

CNN previously reported that a prominent Chinese official is repeating a conspiracy theory that the US military could have brought the deadly virus to China -- and it did not originate in the Chinese city of Wuhan where it was first reported by Chinese health officials.

"I didn't appreciate the fact that China was saying that our military gave it to them. Our military did not give it to anybody," Trump said.

"China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false. And rather than having an argument, I said I had to call it where it came from. It did come from China. So, I think it's a very accurate term," he said.

Trump is also using the spread of the virus as a justification for his harsh, and some say racist, immigration policy stemming immigration to the US and the need to construct his infamous wall on the border with Mexico even though the introduction of the virus to the US is believed to have been transmitted by American visitors to China.

Capitol Hill lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and members of the three minority Congressional Caucuses, have spoken out against the use of the term.

Nevertheless, Trump and GOP congressmembers continue to doubled down on the use of this term during press conferences. 

Trump's insistence in the use of the offensive term goes against guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and the promises by members of Trump’s own administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield, to refrain from using that term in reference to COVID-19 because it incites blame, racism, and hatred towards Asian Americans, putting them at risk for prejudice and violence. 

RELATED: Coronavirus fears spur attacks against Asian Americans

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chairwoman Judy Chu, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Joaquin Castro, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairwoman Karen Bass, and Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chair Deb Haaland issued the following joint statement:

“The name of the virus causing the crisis in America and around the world is the 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 for short. It has a name. But Republicans, from President Trump on down, have insisted on creating and using alternatives such as the ‘Chinese’ or ‘Wuhan’ virus. This is dangerous and they know it. The World Health Organization has said labeling a disease by region or ethnicity makes it harder to contain the disease and promotes stigma that can negatively impact ethnic groups. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said creating stigma endangers public health. 

"Yet still, Republicans are rejecting that expert guidance in order to stoke xenophobia and blame all people of Chinese ethnicity for a public health crisis that knows no boundaries. 

"But by telling people who to blame, they are telling people who to fear and who to hate. Unfortunately, we have already seen how this bigotry has impacted Asian Americans across the country who are facing increased prejudice and violence. Many have even been assaulted to the point of needing to seek medical care in hospitals due to the injuries sustained from physical attacks. This is the consequence of spreading xenophobia, something that cannot continue to be amplified by the Trump Administration and Republican Members. Not now, not ever.

“Republicans have a choice: they can either help contain this global pandemic, or they can exploit it and exacerbate it to serve the President’s narrow political and xenophobic interests. But by doing the latter, they are putting American lives at risk. 

"Conversely, it’s heartening to see the four national caucuses of state legislators of color join our efforts by issuing a statement denouncing the Administration’s efforts to spread xenophobia. We are also grateful to all the local elected officials, governors, and community leaders adhering to clear, consistent messaging that rightfully places no blame on Asian Americans or any other ethnic group. Once again, we implore all leaders to stick to expert guidance and not spread xenophobia. Lives depend on it.”

AAPI health advocates blast Supreme Court's 'public charge' ruling

The US Supreme Court’s decision Jan. 28 allowing the Trump administration to begin implementing the Department of Homeland Security’s revised public charge regulation continues to draw strong reactions from health agencies serving the AAPI communities.

The SCOTUS decision doesn't end the debate. Multiple cases challenging the rule continue in the lower courts. 

In a 5-4 decision along party lines, the Supreme Court temporarily lifted a nationwide injunction blocking the rule from taking effect. The rule threatens the health and wellbeing of Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants and all families.

Three nationwide organizations released the following statements in response to the High Court's decision:

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA):

“Decisions such as this continues to signal to the rest of the world that America is no longer a place that welcomes immigrants. Unfortunately, once again the highest court in our country has given the green light to government-sanctioned xenophobia. The public charge rule put forth by the Trump Administration ignores the plight of many Asian American and Pacific Islander families, and by forcing them to choose between receiving public assistance or their legal pathway, they face poverty, poor health, and uncertainty. NCAPA is disappointed in the decision and will continue to advocate for the American values that brought our communities here in the first place because that is what we all deserve.”

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), Executive Director, Jeffrey Caballero:

“AAPCHO and our member community health centers have already seen the chilling effects on our patients. They are foregoing essential services, disenrolling from benefits they are eligible for, or just not showing up to receive the care they need out of confusion and fear. No one should sacrifice their quality of life or put their loved one’s health in jeopardy out of fear of being separated from their families. AAPCHO condemns this rule and the immoral, unjust policies that discriminate against immigrants who contribute much to our country. AAPCHO will continue to work to ensure better access to affordable, high quality, and culturally and linguistic care to prevent detrimental health outcomes. With our partners, we'll fight against the rule in the courts, in Congress, and at the ballot box.”

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Executive Vice President, Juliet K. Cho:

“We are disappointed that the Supreme Court is permitting the public charge rule to move forward. The public charge rule is antithetical to who we are as a country and targets, primarily, hard-working immigrant families of color. While the regulation directly impacts only a small number of people, the rule has already led to many families and individuals dis-enrolling from otherwise eligible health programs. Standing in solidarity with all of our partners, APIAHF will continue to organize community action against the Trump administration’s public charge rule and protect our immigrant families from unjust policies. 2020 is a critical election year, where every vote matters. It is important, more than ever, to empower our communities in exercising their right to vote for leaders who support the American values we believe in.”

RELATED: SCOTUS temporarily allows 'public charge' to take effect

Court ruling on ACA muddies the future of the health care law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in a 2-1 decision ruled the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional and instructed the lower court, which had previously held the ACA unconstitutional, to determine whether the remaining portions of the ACA can stand.

“APIAHF is extremely disappointed in the court’s decision that puts the health of millions of Americans at risk, said Juliet K. Choi, senior vice president for government & external relations of APIAHF. 

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that the ACA's individual mandate is unconstitutional, but stopped short of saying that the entire Obama-era law is invalid.

“The Fifth Circuit’s decision against the ACA could potentially disrupt our entire American health care system by leaving the decision to a sole judge who had already ruled against the ACA.," Choi said.

The Democratic attorneys general, led by California, who have intervened in the case shave already indicated that they will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

If the Supreme Court chooses to hear the case, Texas v. United States, right away, the ACA's fate could become the centerpiece of the 2020 presidential election. 

If the SCOTUS justices wait until the lower court rules, the future of Obamacare would remain in limbo for years.

The opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is an embarrassment, both to the Republican-appointed judges who put their names to it and to the federal judiciary as a whole, reports The Atlantic. (The third judge on the panel, appointed by Jimmy Carter, dissented vehemently.)

Since the implementation of the ACA, sometimes referred to as Obamacare, the coverage disparity between whites and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders had virtually disappeared.

Anticipating the matter will head to the U.S. Supreme Court, Choi said, "It is unlikely the Court would hear the appeal before the 2020 Elections, which underscores the need to elect leaders that will ensure our health care is protected.”

APIA Health Forum: Trump tax bil will have a negative impact on health care.

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Around 2:30 a.m., Dec. 2, the U.S. Senate approved the controversial tax reform bill.

The U.S. Senate passed a horrendous tax reform bill that will change America for decades if signed by Donald Trump. It was written up in secret, amended at the last minute and voted upon in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 2.

Although called a tax bill, its impact on health care will impact Americans for decades by eliminated the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act, sometmes referred to as Obamacare. 

RELATED: Asian American senators decry the tax vote

On Saturday afternoon, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum issued the following press release:

"Today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released a statement following the Senate's passage of tax legislation, including an amendment to repeal the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Due to the repeal, an estimated 13 million people will lose their health insurance.

"'It is shameful that in the midst of open enrollment as millions of Americans head to the Affordable Care Act's marketplace to get coverage they can rely on, the Senate has voted to partially dismantle that same coverage in order to pass tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest in our nation, while adding an estimated 1 trillion dollars to our deficit,' said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF president and CEO. 

"This is dangerous for communities, such as Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, who disproportionately face disparities and barriers in accessing health insurance and utilizing health care. 
"The increase to the deficit will also lead to automatic future spending cuts to certain programs like Medicare and the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Health care must be affordable and available for all. We will work alongside other health advocates in calling on Congress to listen to their constituents and heed the call to protect our care.

"Since the ACA became law, the individual mandate has helped to reduce the uninsured rates for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) by half. The Congressional Budget Office estimated repealing the mandate will lead to 13 million people losing their health insurance and premiums will increase by 10 percent. 

"Many AAs and NHPIs disproportionately experience a range of chronic conditions that, prior to the ACA, were considered pre-existing conditions that required routine access to preventive care and treatment. Before the ACA, many groups, such as Korean, Indonesian and Micronesian Americans had uninsured rates above 20 percent.

"The House plans to vote on the tax bill (this week) and must work with the Senate to reconcile differences. If passed, the bill will then move to President Trump for signature, setting the stage for further attacks on health care programs in 2018.

"APIAHF urges the House to reject the Senate Bill and to stand up for the constituencies they represent."

The House in a 222-192 vote on Monday (Dec. 3) voted to approve a motion to go to conference with the Senate on tax legislation.

The people responsible for Americans' health issued a joint statement this month, the American Psychiatric Association, American College of Physicians, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, voiced strong opposition to the GOP's tax proposal.

The American Hospital Association approved of some portions of the bill that included the tax-exemption for nonprofit hospitals, but was also dismayed at the elimination of the individual mandate.

"We are also disappointed that the tax legislation passed with a provision that would eliminate the individual mandate, which would result in the loss of health insurance coverage for millions of Americans," said an AHA statement. "The goal of the ACA was to extend coverage and, as a result, millions have benefitted from access to needed care. We must protect that access to care for those who need it and ensure the most vulnerable patients are not left behind."

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AAPI reaction: Trump budget is a nightmare

IT'S CRAZY in Washington. Just as you're wrapping your head around the latest tweets coming out of the White House, something that's even crazier crops up.
With the Russia connection and the U.S. walking away from its leadership role in the world, the media and public has almost forgotten the budget being proposed by Donald Trump that would eviscerate the safety net programs and neuter the EPA and other agencies.

The administration's budget proposal outines significant cuts to social welfare programs, tax cuts that benefit the wealthy, and increases to border security, immigration deportation funding, and law enforcement.

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) condemns this latest budget, which will widen the gap between the rich and poor and further enable a corporate, anti-worker, anti-immigrant, and racist agenda.

“We are not surprised by this budget – it confirms everything we have seen and knew would continue to happen,” stated Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930. “Our broken criminal injustice system already disproportionately impacts communities of color. With the government’s blessing for more agents and more detention beds, the private prison industry will continue to profit on the incarceration of Black and Brown bodies.”

APALA Executive Director Gregory A. Cendana added: “Budget cuts to social welfare programs and the repeal and replacement of critical healthcare will be detrimental to millions of people and working families throughout the country. The budget serves only to line the pockets of the wealthy 1% while taking away essential services for struggling families and communities only trying to make ends meet. We are calling on Congress to put people over profit and resist this xenophobic and white supremacist agenda.”

The budget includes an additional $4.4 billion in unnecessary funding for border security in fiscal year 2018 to the Department of Homeland Security to grow its mass deportation force by hiring new agents, increase immigrant detention beds, and begin construction of the border wall.

The budget proposes hiring 70 new immigration enforcement prosecutors at the Department of Justice to prosecute people for immigration-related offenses. Immigration prosecutions already comprise 52 percent of all federal prosecutions—more than prosecutions for drugs, weapons, fraud and other violations combined. Additionally, the White House seeks to go after Sanctuary Cities by changing legislative language, which should only be done through proper legislative channels.

“As an immigrant myself, I am disgusted that more taxpayer dollars are going towards the mass criminalization and deportation of immigrant and refugee communities," added Hester. "Instead of investing directly into workers, students, and putting more people on the path to the middle class, we’re seeing moves to a more militarized state. This administration has repeatedly shown its relentlessness to destroy our democracy and the values of freedom and diversity we hold dear. That’s why it’s important now more than ever to resist, organize, and fight back against these oppressive tactics.”

"We find this budget shameful and urge Congress not to give in to the administration’s fear-mongering and propaganda on immigration," said the Asian Americans Advancing Justice in a statement. "Congress should drastically reduce funding for this heartless, anti-immigrant and xenophobic agenda that preys on those most vulnerable in our society. We oppose rounding up and deporting millions of immigrants who make important contributions to their families, their communities, and our society. Rather than separating families through mass deportation efforts, the U.S. government should spend more money investing in families, communities and economic security.”

“This budget goes against our nation’s deeply held belief in our shared humanity,” said Kathy Ko Chin, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum president and CEO. “The proposed cuts would devastate efforts to help keep families and communities across the country healthy.”

If enacted, the President’s FY 2018 budget would:

• Cut health and nutrition assistance programs that millions of Americans rely on.
• Ends Medicaid by converting it to a capped program or block grant. The cuts to Medicaid would be even greater than those proposed in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal bill, further reducing funding for states.
• Cuts an additional $616 billion from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which are responsible for covering nearly 75 million adults and children, including 13.9 percent of Asian Americans and 24.9 percent of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
• Cuts food assistance for low-income persons and families.

Cut budgets responsible for research, improving healthcare quality and protecting civil rights.

• Cuts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by over $1.3 billion, which includes over $930 million in cuts to programs for
• HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
• Cuts the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) by $6 million.
• Eliminates funding for the CDC’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program.
• Maintains flat funding for the Offices of Minority Heath.

In addition, the budget continues to underfund the Census Bureau ahead of the 2020 Census and critical demographic surveys. As in past years, the budget continues to include language restricting federal funding for abortion (known as the Hyde Amendment), except for limited circumstances. The restriction disproportionately impacts low-income women and women of color.

The Republican-controlled Congress is under fire from their constituents for the lawmakers'  attempts to undo Obamacare so some of them are feeling the pressure. Voting for the White House budget plan could be the last straw for many of the voters who supported them in the last elections.

It's a good bet that the final budget adopted by Congress will look nothing like the White House proposals but the way things are going on in Washington and the GOP's lemming-like tendency to vote whichever way Trump wants them to vote makes us nervous. We need to keep meeting with our representatives to make sure that they represent the American people and vote for what's good for the country, not simply along party lines.