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Overview
On March 25th, the 2026 APAICS Health Summit will air virtually. The APAICS Health Summit brings together frontline workers, community and corporate leaders, subject matter experts, and elected officials for bipartisan policy discussions on issues that affect our communities and the nation at-large. The Summit will explore topics such as representation in healthcare and research, and healthcare accessibility for our community.
Attendees will:
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Hear from state and federal elected officials to stay informed on legislative priorities and policy shifts
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Gain insights from subject-matter experts and community advocates on top issues like access and affordability
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Deepen their awareness of critical health issues impacting our country and communities
Interested in sponsoring the 2026 Health Summit? Please contact externalaffairs@apaics.org for more information.
Featured Speakers
The 2026 Health Summit will feature Congressional leaders, including Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa).
Panelists & Moderators
Panel Preview
From Data to Decisions: Equity and AA & NH/PI Health
Aggregated health data often masks the vast diversity within AA & NH/PI communities, obscuring unique health risks, disparities, and access gaps across subgroups. This panel will spotlight why disaggregated data is not just a data‑tech issue but a critical lever for improving health outcomes, particularly as AI becomes more integrated in healthcare. Experts and practitioners will discuss how better data can improve culturally attuned and preventative care, and how its absence can perpetuate invisibility and inequity.
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Juliet K. Choi, JD, President & CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
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Fiby Daniel, MPH, Manager Strategy & Data Insights, Representation in Clinical Research (RISE), Amgen
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Vayong Moua, MPA, Director of Community Health Advocacy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
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(Moderator) Tanisha Carino, PhD, Visiting Fellow, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy
The Care We Need: Building a Strong Health Workforce
Amid growing national shortages, the health workforce pipeline continues to fall short for AA & NH/PI communities—especially in mental health, where limited representation undermines access to culturally competent care. This panel explores how the provider shortage strains both patients and the few clinicians serving them, deepening burnout and widening equity gaps. Leaders across education, policy, and healthcare will discuss bold strategies to rebuild a thriving workforce and reimagine a care system that truly meets communities where they are.
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Sen. Clarence Lam, MD, MPH, Maryland State Senate
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Sofia Aragon, JD, BSN, RN, Executive Director, Washington Center for Nursing
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Noritsugu Naito, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
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Simit Pandya, MA, Director, Congressional & Grassroots Advocacy, American Nurses Association
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Paulo Pontemayor, MPH, Senior Director, Government Relations, The Catholic Health Association of the United States
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(Moderator) Rita Kaur Kuwahara, MD, MIH, FACP, Senior Advisor for Medicine and Health Policy, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
From Guam to Flushing: Mapping Health Disparities Across Our Communities
Health outcomes are shaped by a multitude of factors, from geography to age, to the unique challenges faced by rural and island communities. This panel will explore how elements like remote location, elder care needs, chronic disease management, and limited healthcare infrastructure can lead to disparities for certain communities. Panelists, including community advocates, rural‑health policymakers, and care providers, will discuss strategies to tailor solutions, build sustainable access networks, and leverage support to help all communities thrive, regardless of where they are located.
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Jaspreet Chowdhary, JD, MPH, Senior Legislative Counsel, Compassion & Choices
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Savine DaCosta, MBA, PhD Candidate, Clinical Trial Access and Representation Site Lead, Biogen
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Alice Lin Fabiano, MBA, Global Head of Social Impact and Partnerships, Johnson & Johnson
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(Moderator) Samira Khan, MPH, President, South Asian Public Health Association; Assistant Director of Research and Clinical Initiatives, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Access and Affordability Question: Coverage, Costs, and the Future of Care
As Congress debates the future of federal health legislation, the pending expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies threatens to widen existing gaps in coverage and affordability for AA & NH/PI communities. This panel will examine how rising prescription drug costs and shifting market dynamics intersect with subsidy loss, changes to Medicaid, and overhauls to vaccine schedules, reshaping access to care and the broader medical landscape. Leaders from health systems, community organizations, and industry will discuss strategies to protect affordability and ensure coverage moving forward for our communities.
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Clayton Fong, JD, President & CEO, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
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Carolyn Ha, PharmD, Deputy Vice President, Policy and Research, Phrma
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Sandhya Rao, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
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Laurel Sakai, JD, National Director, Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
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(Moderator) Joyce Liu, Policy Advisor, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
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