At this moment, Congressional leaders are preparing the final draft of health care reform legislation that will land on the President's desk. Two key priorities for the immigrant community are at risk of being left out of this historic bill. Tax-paying, legal immigrants must currently wait 5-years before they can enroll in Medicaid. These future American citizens should not have to wait this long to access affordable health care. The Senate version of the health care reform bill also excludes undocumented immigrants from accessing the health care Exchange(s) where they can purchase affordable, unsubsidized health coverage. Excluding this population means greater costs for everyone through the institution of expensive and time-consuming administrative hurdles to determine immigration and citizenship status. The President and our Congressional leaders need to hear your voices NOW. We want to ensure that they understand how critical these issues are to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Urge your U.S. Senator to support the Menendez Amendment in health care reform. This amendment would provide states with the option to extend Medicaid to all qualified legal immigrants without a five-year wait. It is important to call today, as amendments to this bill may be voted on as early as tomorrow. Immigrants work in our communities, pay taxes and contribute richly to life in the United States. Many legal immigrants are uninsured because they work in industries or small businesses that do not offer health care coverage. As many as 600,000 legal immigrants may be eligible for Medicaid if the five-year waiting period is eliminated. States now using their own funds to provide insurance for legal immigrant adults would get federal matching money. The majority of Americans support eliminating the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants.

Tell your Representative to support H.R. 4116 the bill to reauthorize and fund the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). Ask them to cosponsor this important legislation. Reauthorizing FVPSA will allow communities to continue to provide life-saving services to victims of domestic violence and their children including emergency shelters, crisis lines, counseling and advocacy; help to meet the needs of underserved communities; and help break the cycle of violence.

FVPSA expired in 2008. Action is needed now to ensure that domestic violence programs have adequate resources to meet an increased demand for life-saving services. The reauthorization of FVPSA offers victims hope and it will allow programs to continue to save lives and end the horrific cycle of violence. FVPSA is the only source of federal funding dedicated to domestic violence shelters and programs and is at the heart of our nation's response to domestic violence.

Tell your senator to support health care reform that provides security and stability to all Americans by giving them the option of selecting a public plan. Health care reform should treat everyone fairly. Urge your senator to eliminate the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants who qualify for Medicaid services, because it unfairly denies them access when they pay taxes like everyone else. Tell your senator to oppose adding any costly and time-consuming documentation and verification processes which divide our families and may prevent eligible citizens from getting the health care they need.

Tell your senator to support health care reform that provides security and stability to all Americans by giving them the option of selecting a public plan. Health care reform should treat everyone fairly. Urge your senator to eliminate the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants who qualify for Medicaid services, because it unfairly denies them access when they pay taxes like everyone else. Tell your senator to oppose adding any costly and time-consuming documentation and verification processes which divide our families and may prevent eligible citizens from getting the health care they need.

Tell the President and Senate Finance Committee Members to ensure quality affordable health care coverage for all in the “America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009.” The Senate Finance Committee is expected to advance health care reform legislation and vote on numerous amendments that could affect your ability to access affordable, quality health care coverage.  Act now! These amendments will be considered on Wednesday, September 23!

Tell your members of Congress to support health care reform that provides security and stability to all Americans by giving them the option of selecting a public plan.  Health care reform should treat everyone fairly. Urge your members of Congress to eliminate the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants who qualify for Medicaid services, because it unfairly denies them access when they pay taxes like everyone else.