Across the country, shifting policy priorities and renewed federal attacks on healthcare remind us that progress is never guaranteed. This is especially true for low-income AAPI migrants, one of the primary targets of proposed federal healthcare cuts and for whom the threat of immigration enforcement stands as a barrier to healthcare access.
We decided to meet the moment. On October 29, 2025, AJSOCAL’s Health Access Program (HAP) gathered sponsors and community partners across California for a Health Justice Network Convening. Not only was this a chance to recognize the accomplishments of our partners in outreach, education, and enrollment efforts, but also a way to brief organizations on key health care policy changes and strengthen our collective commitment to affordable, accessible, and quality health care.
We started off the day by updating our partners on the Medi-Cal and Covered California policy updates and Medicare-Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) training. That led to a discussion with Dr. Alexander Li, the Chief Health Equity Officer at LA Care, about new resources for both advocates and health insurance seekers, exemplifying AJSOCAL’s role as a bridge between grassroots AAPI serving organizations and the healthcare industry. We facilitate a two-way exchange of information to help our community partners navigate the recent turbulence in the healthcare regulatory landscape, as well as inform healthcare payors, providers, and policymakers of the direct experiences of AAPI community members.
We ended the morning by leading a discussion on immigration and healthcare rights; many attendees were excited to utilize our Know Your Rights training. This not only proved that knowledge is power, but that every single one of our community partners were dedicated protecting the safety and civil rights of their community members, especially immigrants who are being pushed into the shadows thanks to increasingly restrictive immigration policies and limited access to benefits..
In the afternoon, we held round table discussions on policy priorities, opportunities for collaboration, and strategies for supporting clients with medical debt. Many AAPI migrants, especially limited English proficient or non-English speakers, are targets of predatory medical debt practices—so discussion focused on existing consumer protections. Finally, to solidify our collective commitment to healthcare access, we ended the day with a reception and mixer, co-hosted with CAST-LA, allowing our partners to network and discuss further opportunities for collaboration.
David Zhao, Equal Justice Works Fellow at Public Counsel, gives a presentation on how to advocate for clients burdened by medical debt.
The “Wicked Good Connections” Social Mixer with CAST-LA brought in an additional 20 remarkable social service organizations to strengthen cross-sector collaboration. These organizations work in human trafficking prevention, emergency housing, economic advancement, youth leadership development, and other areas of community support that impact the long-term health of AAPI community members.
Diana Diaz with Corazon Norte and Graycen Amadeo and Juliet Wang from The TransLatin@ Coalition talk during the evening reception and mixer.
The overwhelming response from both the Health Justice Network Convening and the Social Mixer was one of gratitude for this opportunity and a consensus that similar events in the future are critical to ensuring we’re able to keep serving the most vulnerable AAPI community members. Even amidst this current confusing regulatory environment, AJSOCAL’s Health Justice Network stands committed to ensuring all people have access to the healthcare they deserve.
“I am feeling really happy and looking forward to collaborating and working together for a better future.” – Anupama Chapagain, long-time partner from the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)
[Read about HAP Client JS’s Story]