Health Care Reform: A Caucus of Asian American Health Workers' Perspective

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: The purpose of this paper is to offer an American Public Health Association (APHA)/Caucus of Asian American Health Workers' (CAAHW) perspective on health care reform. Dr. William Chen, the CAAHW Chair had asked the author, a Caucus member to present the Caucus' perspective on health care reform as part of a special session that was held during the 1993 APHA annual meeting in San Francisco. This paper is based on the oral presentation made. SUMMARY OF METHODS UTILIZED: The author reviewed the September 7, 1993 draft of the President's Health Care Reform proposal, other related papers, and the literature on Asian and Pacific Islander American health care needs. This was followed by a discussion of major issues and concerns with the CAAHW Chair and key members. This paper has undergone review by the Caucus chair and his reviewers whom he selected and thus is endorsed as the CAAHW's perspective on health care reform. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The CAAHW applauds President Clinton for his leadership in introducing much­needed reform in the U.S. health care system. However, the CAAHW wants to point out that access to medical care is not equivalent to utilizing and benefiting from services. Three issues of special concern to Asian Pacific Islander Americans are: (1) cultural sensitivity and relevancy of health services; (2) adequacy of racial/ethnic specific health data; and (3) due representation and input to key health policy­making and administrative bodies. CONCLUSIONS: The CAHW supports universal health insurance for all Americans and is particularly concerned that cultural sensitivity and appropriateness be assured for all populations. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS: This paper calls attention to Asian Pacific Islander Americans as the nation's fastest growing minority that is largely foreign­born and extremely heterogenous and the need for culturally sensitive services. KEY WORDS: Asian Pacific Islander Americans; health care reform; health policy; cultural sensitivity.