141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

289834
Achieving access to health coverage for cofa-migrants


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Franco Ciammachilli, Policy Division, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Washington, DC
Kathy Ko Chin, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, San Francisco, CA
Priscilla Huang, JD, Policy Division, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Washington, DC
Paulo Pontemayor, MPH*, Policy Division, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Washington, DC
     
This session will inform public health professionals about the Compact of Free Association (COFA) between the U.S. government and the independent governments of the Freely Associated States (FAS); Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau as it relates to the health of these populations residing in the United States. Known as COFA-migrants, the Compact entitles citizens of the FAS to broad migration privileges and the ability to apply for admission to the U.S. as non-immigrants without visa requirements. There are at least 56,000 migrants from the COFA nations legally residing, working, and studying in the United States, but are neither citizens nor nationals. These COFA-migrants pay into the system, but are not eligible for many of the benefits or privileges that come with this responsibility. This session will address the opportunities for policy makers and industry leaders to provide the proper and necessary care for this population.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the international agreement that defines and governs the relationship between the U.S. government and the Freely Associated States (FAS). Discuss the unique barriers facing COFA-migrants in accessing health care in a post-health care reform, post-immigration reform world. Identify strategies for developing policy and legislative solutions for advancing the health equity of COFA-migrants.

Keyword(s): Immigration, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Policy Associate for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, where I work on issues related to health care access, cultural and linguistically appropriate care, health equity, and immigration including issues relating to COFA-migrants. In addition, I have worked on issues related to COFA migrants as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5152.0: Recognizing and promoting health as a human right: What is the role of public health?