Fiscal Cliff Compromise Averts Tax Hikes and Delays Major Federal Spending Cuts

Posted on January 4, 2013

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Fiscal Cliff Compromise Averts Tax Hikes and Delays Major Federal
Spending Cuts

Health and safety net programs remain on the chopping block.

WASHINGTON—The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) is encouraged that Congressional leaders and the administration were able to reach a compromise to avert the “fiscal cliff,” but urges lawmakers to work expeditiously on an agreement to reduce the debt through balanced spending reductions and tax increases before March 2013.

The last-minute deal maintains tax cuts for the middle class and temporarily extends unemployment insurance, both of which are especially important for low- and middle-income Americans struggling in the weakened economy.  But, the agreement merely delays the automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration, for two months, setting the stage for continuing budget battles.

“We are pleased that Congressional leaders and President Obama came together on a compromise that protects middle-class Americans.  We remain concerned, however, that the major spending cuts called for under sequestration threaten the nation’s public health infrastructure,” said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF president and CEO.  “Sequestration must be addressed through a balanced solution that combines spending cuts with revenue raises and protects critical health programs.”

Sequestration calls for an over 8 percent reduction in federal discretionary spending, coming at a time when major federal health initiatives, including health care reform implementation, are underway.  While funding for Medicaid, health care reform and other critical safety net programs are largely protected under the sequester, these initiatives will likely be targets for significant cuts as Congressional leaders work on a more permanent solution in the coming weeks.

APIAHF is closely monitoring fiscal and budget negotiations and remains committed to ensuring that public health funding, safety net programs and funding for health care reform implementation are fully protected.

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Learn more at http://www.apiahf.org/.

POLICY AND ADVOCACY | PROGRAMS | RESOURCES | ABOUT US | PRESS

Recent HHS Medicaid Decision Offers Important Protections for AAs and NHPIs

Posted on December 14, 2012

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Recent HHS Medicaid Decision Offers Important Protections for AAs and NHPIs December 12, 2012 WASHINGTON—The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) applauded the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent announcement that states will have to either fully expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or not at all.  The move is aimed at extending insurance coverage to millions of low-income Americans.  A number of governors had suggested a partial expansion of their Medicaid programs after the Supreme Court’s decision in June, which removed the federal government’s enforcement power to require all states to fully expand their Medicaid programs to persons earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line. “We applaud HHS’ decision to hold firm and not allow partial Medicaid expansions,” said Kathy Lim Ko, APIAHF president and CEO. “The ACA’s Medicaid expansion offers the most significant opportunity to expand coverage to low-income and vulnerable communities, including many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AAs and NHPIs).  HHS should do everything in its power to encourage all states to fully expand their Medicaid programs and receive the generous federal funding.” Nearly one in seven, or 2.8 million AAs and 162,000 NHPIs are uninsured.  Expanding Medicaid could make a significant dent in these numbers and expand access to affordable care for millions.  If every state expands Medicaid, then nearly one in 10 AAs and one in eight NHPIs would qualify for coverage in 2014.  Click here to learn more about why Medicaid matters for AA and NHPI communities and how the ACA will expand coverage for these communities nationally.  Read our Medicaid expansion infographic covering key states. With its partners, APIAHF is working to ensure full implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s significant coverage expansions, including the Medicaid program expansions and individual and small employer health exchanges. ###

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Learn more at http://www.apiahf.org/. POLICY AND ADVOCACY | PROGRAMS | RESOURCES | ABOUT US | PRESS

On Dec. 11, tell Congress: No benefit cuts for seniors!

Posted on December 10, 2012

Dear Advocate,

Please join NCOA and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations for:

No Benefit Cuts for Seniors! Fiscal Cliff Call-In Day: Tuesday, Dec. 11

Medicare, Medicaid, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), the Older Americans Act, Section 202 housing, energy assistance, and more are at serious risk in the budget negotiations now happening in Washington. The recent proposal from House Republican leaders would cut all of these programs. See what’s at stake.

Congress needs to hear from you why these programs must be protected for millions of older Americans, workers, and families in need!

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, please call toll-free 888-876-6242 (line provided by Families USA) and tell your members of Congress:

• Reduce the deficit through a balanced approach without increasing poverty or income inequality
• No benefit cuts to Medicare or Medicaid or shifting costs onto beneficiaries
• No cuts to Social Security COLAs
• No additional cuts in Older Americans Act and other domestic discretionary programs below the current caps
• Include increases in revenue so the wealthy pay their fair share

Any budget agreement should have the overarching goal of building economic security for older Americans and their families, strengthening the middle class, and promoting job growth.

Then amplify your voice!

1. Share this alert with your friends and colleagues.
2. Tell a story of a senior threatened by cuts.
3. Contact your Representatives and Senators via Twitter or Facebook using the #seniors hashtag.

Thanks for your support!

Tour boat captures spectacular images of Big Island lava

Posted on December 5, 2012

KILAUEA VOLCANO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) –

For the first time in nearly a year, lava is entering the ocean from Kilauea volcano, and Hawaii News Now has spectacular new video of the rare event.

Lava Ocean Tours says the lava has been entering the ocean daily since it first began again in November. The Big Island tour company shared this video, which was shot over a three day period in early December.  It shows lava cascading off 40 foot cliffs into the ocean.

“We have ramped up our tours and are seeing a huge increase in the number of people booking trips,” said Shane Turpin of Lava Ocean Tours.  “We have seen people from all over the world, even Hollywood actors, people from the Weather Channel and professional photographers.”

Bryan Arthur, a guide with Lava Ocean Tours, says, “We have four boats heading out this Wednesday and Friday.  In fact we added two additional boats because everyone wants to see the lava.  The sunrise tour is phenomenal.  It’s the best tour for taking photos.”

The flow is considered dangerous, and visitors are warned to observe only from approved safe distances.

There are regulations involved with these lava boat tours.

“All of our boats are Coast Guard inspected and state permitted, but there are some operators out there who are not permitted,” said Turpin.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says Kilauea, which has been erupting continuously since January 1983, has seen an increase in pressure recently. The increase also resulted in a rise in the lava lake inside a vent at the Halemaumau crater in the Kilauea caldera.

Scientists are not sure how long the lava will keep flowing into the ocean this time around.

~reposted from:  http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/20260642/tour-boat-captures-spectacular-images-of-big-island-lava

Best Eruption Viewing In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Posted on December 3, 2012 Updated on December 3, 2012

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park News Release: Nēnē Killed by Vehicle

Posted on November 7, 2012