Response to Tragic Death of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was fatally shot in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was an innocent bystander participating in the “No Kings” protest—a nationwide day of defiance denouncing President Donald Trump’s authoritarian actions such as threatening freedom of the press and speech in universities to authorizing mass deportations without due process. Ah Loo was caught in the line of fire by a stray bullet when unsanctioned armed peacekeepers shot a nearby man who pulled out an AR-15 rifle during the protest. Ah Loo was taken to the hospital, where he eventually died.
Ah Loo devoted his life to serving his family and the Utah Pacific Islander community. As a former Project Runway contestant and self-taught fashion designer from Samoa, he relentlessly advocated for Pacific Islander artists. His own designs challenged fashion norms by merging elements of modern design with traditional Pacific Islander attire, showcasing his heritage on a global stage. In his free time, Ah Loo voluntarily tailored and created clothing for people in need, often refusing payment for his work.
We, at National APAMSA, are deeply saddened by the loss of Ah Loo and his powerful voice for representation and diversity in the fashion industry and Pacific Islander community. His loss is deeply felt not only by the Samoan and wider Pasifika communities, but also by anyone who believes in the power of creativity to inspire change. To Ah Loo’s family, his wife Laura and their two young children, and the community who are mourning him, we send our deepest condolences.
APAMSA reaffirms its stance denouncing gun violence as expressed in our policy compendium. The death of Ah Loo was senseless and avoidable, reflecting the devastating consequences of unchecked violence, open-carry policies, and failure to ensure protest safety. The presence of untrained, armed peacekeepers acting outside of official oversight directly contributed to this tragedy. This instance also raises questions about who has power, who is protected, and who is left vulnerable—even when their intentions are peaceful. We urge lawmakers, protest organizers, and community leaders to prioritize public safety. No one should have to fear for their life while standing for what they believe in.
If you would like to support his family, please consider donating to the GoFundMe in honor of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo.
For questions or more information about this statement, please reach out to the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Director, Caitlin Tanji, at nhpidirector@apamsa.org and Rapid Response Director, Brian Leung, at rapidresponse@apamsa.org.
Statement on ICE Raids in Los Angeles
Following the Trump Administration’s plan to push for mass deportations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided multiple communities in the Los Angeles area on Friday June 6, 2025, detaining over 100 people. This action mirrors similar immigration arrests in cities across the nation such as San Diego and Chicago. Federal agents, often equipped with military gear and traveling in armored vehicles, have increasingly targeted workplaces and courtrooms to increase arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States. This surge in activity comes amid ongoing concerns about unsanitary conditions, inadequate health and medical treatment, and other rights violations at detention facilities. Since January 2025, further policy changes have eliminated protections for locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship from ICE activities. This has instilled fear in undocumented individuals, making them hesitant to access essential health services due to the risk of arrest and detention.
At National APAMSA, we are dismayed by these immigration sweeps, which directly threaten the health and safety of immigrants, a concern explicitly expressed in our policy compendium. These raids prioritize quotas set by the Trump Administration rather than ensure public safety, leading to overcrowding and an increased number of deaths in ICE facilities. A 2024 report by the American Immigration Council found no correlation between ICE operations and lower rates of violent crime despite the Trump Administration’s repeated claims that many immigrants are “committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans.” We have seen the rights of immigrants being violated, despite decades of legal precedent of equal protections afforded by the Constitution for all persons in the United States. Please help us stand up for the rights of immigrants and inform others about their fundamental protections
Call to Action
- Speak with your Congressional representatives about your concern for the violation of immigrant rights. To find your Representative and Senators, please use the following website: https://www.congress.gov/contact-us
- Inform all community members of their rights and about available resources. Please see below for a list of resources.
Resources:
ACLU – Know Your Rights
Immigrant Defense Project – Know Your Rights infographics and fact sheets (also available in multiple languages)
Stop AAPI Hate – Community Resources
Immigrant Legal Resource Center – Red Cards to place in cars and at home
Email Script to Congress
Subject: Urgent: Oppose ICE Raids and Military Violence Against Protesters
Dear [Representative/Senator Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent living in [Your ZIP Code]. I am writing with deep concern about the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration enforcement and violent suppression of peaceful protests.
I urge you to take a firm stand against ICE raids in Los Angeles and throughout the U.S. These raids do not just target undocumented immigrants — they also intimidate and harm documented immigrants. Families are being separated, children traumatized, and entire communities pushed into fear and silence.
Undocumented immigrants are the backbone of our country. They do the labor that many Americans are unwilling to do, often under brutal and hazardous conditions. From working in fields under extreme heat and air pollution, to dangerous construction sites and underregulated factories, these workers sustain critical industries — with little or no workplace protection.
Despite these conditions, undocumented immigrants pay over $37.3 billion in state and local taxes every year, including $8.5 billion in California alone. They are our neighbors, colleagues, and essential contributors to our country.
And yet, the Trump administration responded with cruelty — targeting not just those undocumented, but also documented immigrants with new restrictions, denials, and deportations.
To make matters worse, this administration has used the National Guard and military force against peaceful protesters, weaponizing power against people who are simply exercising their First Amendment rights. Peaceful dissent is a hallmark of American democracy — not a threat to be met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
I urge you to:
- Publicly condemn ICE raids and the targeting of immigrant families.
- Oppose any militarization of protest response.
- Support legislation that protects immigrant communities and ensures humane treatment.
- Defend our right to protest without fear of violence or retaliation.
Please act now to protect our communities and uphold justice.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Call Script:
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent calling from [Your City, ZIP Code].
I’m calling to express my deep concern about the Trump administration’s cruel and aggressive immigration enforcement and the violent use of military force against peaceful protesters.
I urge [Representative/Senator’s Last Name] to:
- Publicly condemn ICE raids, especially those happening in Los Angeles and across the country. These raids tear families apart and push entire communities into fear — including many documented immigrants.
- Oppose the militarization of protest responses. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right — not something to be met with tear gas or rubber bullets.
- Support legislation that protects immigrant communities and ensures they are treated with dignity and humanity.
Undocumented immigrants are the backbone of essential industries in our country. They work in harsh and dangerous conditions that many others won’t — often without protections — yet still contribute over $37 billion in state and local taxes.
We need leaders who will protect communities, not terrorize them. Please tell [Representative/Senator’s Last Name] to stand up for human rights and democracy.
Thank you.
For more information or questions regarding this statement, please contact our Rapid Response Director, Brian Leung, at rapidresponse@apamsa.org and our Southeast Asian Director, Fern Vichaikul, at seadirector@apamsa.org.
South Asian Reproductive Health Webinar
🌸 Let’s Talk Reproductive Health! 🌈
Join us for The South Asian Reproductive Health Webinar as we spotlight reproductive and LGBTQ+ health challenges within the South Asian community.
✨ Featuring powerhouse speakers including Dr. Suneela Vegunta — board-certified internist and women’s health expert from the Mayo Clinic.
📅 June 24th | ⏰ 7 PM CDT / 8 PM EDT / 5 PM PDT
💻 Zoom ID: 971 1699 9699 | 🔒 Passcode: 4S
Gain invaluable insights into culturally competent care, advocacy, and the unique challenges South Asian patients face. Whether you’re pursuing primary care, OB/GYN, internal medicine, or any specialty — understanding intersectional health disparities is key to becoming a more compassionate, effective physician.
For questions, please contact our South Asian Director, Shravani Khisti (she/her), at sadirector@apamsa.org
Joint Statement on H.R. 1 by APAMSA, SNMA, LMSA, AMSA, SOMA, and MSDCI
On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which contained disconcerting provisions aimed at cutting Medicaid funding by almost $700 billion over the next decade. Medicaid has been a central fixture for 83 million Americans, providing essential healthcare and long-term care for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. The Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion to adults who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level ($21,597 for a single adult) has insured millions of Americans with health coverage. These potential changes will deprive over 10 million Americans from healthcare coverage through Medicaid and disproportionately affect communities of color.
Medicaid has been linked to increased access in rural and disadvantaged areas and improved health outcomes like decreasing all-cause mortality by almost 2% and lowering maternal mortality. In a recent report authored by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and other national health organizations, Medicaid is the primary source of healthcare for almost 30% of people of color.
Medicaid has consistently enjoyed broad bipartisan support. A recent poll demonstrates that most Americans—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—favor maintaining and increasing spending on Medicaid access. Forty states across the political spectrum have opted into Medicaid expansion, recognizing the program’s role in improving health outcomes, supporting rural hospitals, and reducing uncompensated care. Despite the overwhelming evidence that Medicaid is extremely popular across the political spectrum and saves lives, House Republicans have moved to sacrifice public health in favor of funding tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy. The harmful provisions in H.R. 1 stand in contrast to the values shared by voters of all political backgrounds who believe Americans should not be denied care due to their income.
The bill will attempt to cut costs by
- Reducing the incentives and federal subsidies given to states for expanding Medicaid, specifically punishing any state that provides any health benefits or assistance to undocumented immigrants with lower expansion matches,
- Establish cost-sharing and copays of $35 for services provided to anyone above the federal poverty level ($15,650 for a single adult),
- Instituting stringent work requirements and eligibility verifications that burdens Medicaid recipients and state governments with more paperwork,
- Prohibiting Medicaid payment to nonprofits and providers that focus on reproductive health, family planning, and abortion services like Planned Parenthood,
- Removing gender affirming care as an Essential Health Benefit under the Affordable Care Act and prohibiting coverage for any Medicaid/CHIP recipient,
- Suspending rules that streamline application and enrollment into Medicaid and for patients who qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (covers Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for low-income Medicare beneficiaries).
We strongly condemn any legislation aimed at limiting equitable access to Medicaid or attacking access to abortion services and gender affirming care. Among the many destructive changes also embedded in H.R. 1, the elimination of federal student loans and loan forgiveness programs will severely limit access for students from all backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine. This bill proposes a lifetime cap of $150,000 for federal graduate student borrowing, specifically for those enrolled in professional programs. This will potentially force students to rely on private loans with less favorable terms and fewer protections, undoubtedly compounding the physician shortages in the very communities that rely on us.
At the heart of these proposed cuts lies an uncomfortable truth – healthcare is not a human right if equal access is not afforded to everyone regardless of socioeconomic class and immigration status. These actions go against the principles set by other nations, the World Health Organization, and the EU among others, highlighting the precarious path that the U.S. government is currently steering the country down. If passed in the Senate as is, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will greatly harm patients across the United States and hamper the ability for physicians and other healthcare providers to serve their communities.
Call to Action:
To Senators – We call on all senators to reject this bill to protect the American public’s interest and maintain our great nation’s founding principles of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
To Medical Students – we urge all medical students to contact their Senators in Congress and demand a No vote on the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Signed,
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)
Medical Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illness (MSDCI)
Additional Resources:
Contact your Congressional Representatives: https://www.congress.gov/contact-us
More information about federal student loans changes: Official Statement and infographic
Call or email your Representative today with a call script from our partner organization, Vot-ER: https://go.vot-er.org/0mAQQu
For questions regarding this statement, please contact:
Rapid Response Director, Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Win a Personalized, Signed Book by Ocean Vuong!
Enter to win a personalized, signed book from Ocean Vuong (unlimited entries!) to raise money for the LGBTQIA+ Scholarship for AANHPI Medical Students!
Three books, donated graciously by Ocean Vuong and his team, are being raffled off: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Time is a Mother, and his brand new book The Emperor of Gladness!
Click here to enter!
For questions, please contact our LGBTQIA+ Director, Joey Hua-Phan (he/they), at lgbtqia@apamsa.org
Response to Proposed Limits and Elimination of Federal Student Loans
On April 28, 2025, Congress released a draft proposal to overhaul the federal student loan system, aiming to add limits to federal student loans, eliminate Grad PLUS loans, and drastically scale back current repayment plans and loan forgiveness options. For 75% of medical students who take out federal loans to pay for medical school, these new proposed rules will stifle the training of future physicians in a nation already facing a physician shortage among a growing and aging population. Congress is also discussing changes to reduce Pell Grants, which help fund undergraduate education for low-income students, including pre-medical students.
APAMSA’s membership is made up of over 4,500 medical and pre-medical students from across the country, and our national organization opposes these alarming changes that will irrevocably damage medical education financing for tens of thousands of medical students and for the many other health profession students.
We urge students to spend 5 minutes of their time to reach out to their Congressional representative to demand the protection of federal student loans. Please send this to your fellow classmates – more people contacting means higher importance to our representatives.
To find your Representative and Senators, please use the following website: https://www.congress.gov/contact-us
We have provided scripts that you can use in an email or in a short phone call to deliver your concerns about the proposed changes. Please feel free to adjust these scripts as you wish to better express your concerns. If you have voted for the Congressional representative or senator before, please mention that as a part of your statement.
Version 1:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
Thank you so much for your continued support of our medical students and the future patients they’ll serve, especially in rural and underserved communities. I’m reaching out today not just as a student, but as someone who grew up in [brief personal background] and who relies on the Grad PLUS program to afford medical school. If this option were taken away, students like me would be forced to reconsider whether they can even afford to complete their training—despite our deep commitment to serving communities in need. I remain concerned about proposals to eliminate Grad PLUS or impose borrowing caps below the true cost of medical education. These changes would severely limit access for students from all backgrounds and risk worsening the physician shortage in the very communities that rely on us. I respectfully urge you to continue advocating for policies that protect access to medical education and ensure that future physicians can continue serving the communities that need us most. Thank you again for your leadership and for considering the impact this would have on students like me.
Version 2:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I’m calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] to protect funding for the federal student loan program and oppose the elimination of Grad PLUS loans and other loan repayment options. As a [medical student/pre-medical student] at [your school], access to federal student loans are crucial to the training of America’s future physicians. In order to provide the best care to our patients across the nation, we must be supported in our education.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
For questions regarding this statement, please contact:
Rapid Response Director, Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
Editor Director, Christine Le at editor@apamsa.org
Director of Organized Medicine, Jennifer Deng at organizedmed@apamsa.org
Statement on Lapu Lapu Day Festival Tragedy
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) extends its deepest condolences to the Filipino Canadian community in the wake of the devastating tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival. On April 26, 2025, a vehicle was driven into a crowd celebrating Filipino heritage, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and injuring over 20 individuals.
This senseless act has left an indelible mark on a community that was gathered together in joy and cultural pride. As future healthcare professionals committed to serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, we stand in solidarity with those affected. We honor the resilience of the Filipino community and the dedication of the first responders and healthcare workers who provided immediate care and continue to support the victims and their families.
APAMSA reaffirms its commitment to fostering safe and inclusive environments for all communities. We pledge to advocate for mental health awareness, community support systems, and preventive measures to ensure such tragedies do not recur (Resolution 30.001). In this time of mourning, we offer our support and stand united with the Filipino Canadian community.
For more information on how to help, please look to Filipino BC (@filipino_bc) and at the official City of Vancouver website for more updates and ways to support the community in the future.
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, nationwide)
Asian Mental Health Collective – Resource Directory: asianmhc.org/resources
Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
For questions about this statement, please reach out to the National President, James Chua at president@apamsa.org, the Southeast Asian Director, Fern Vichaikul at sadirector@apamsa.org, or the Rapid Response Director, Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org.
Response to SAVE Act (H.R. 22)
On April 10, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires all voters to provide documented proof of citizenship in person while voting. If passed in the Senate and signed into law, this bill will create unnecessary barriers to voting and disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
| Parts of the SAVE Act | Who does this impact? |
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One in 10 eligible American citizens lack these documents or face significant barriers in obtaining them.
Voters of color, married women who change their names, and young voters will be significantly affected. Those with REAL ID, military or tribal ID would not be considered as having sufficient proof of citizenship under this new law. |
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Every current and new voter will have to present their proof of citizenship to election offices, which can be hours away, in order to update their registration status. This poses a significant burden for rural, disabled, and elderly citizens.
This also eliminates voter registration drives and online voter registration, thus reducing voter turnout. |
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Voting as a noncitizen is already illegal and very rare – only 30 votes out of 23.5 million votes during the 2016 general election were suspected to be made by noncitizens.
During previous voter roll purges, almost two-thirds of suspected noncitizens in Alabama were, in fact, later found out to be eligible voters. If rolled out on a larger scale, this will unjustly disenfranchise eligible voters as already seen in Virginia during the 2024 election. |
National APAMSA strongly condemns this bill, as it will have far-reaching effects in limiting the voices of millions of Americans, especially people of color who are disproportionately affected by this potential voting law. We stand by the statements put out by organizations like ACLU and APIA Vote that echo our same concern for diminishing voting access. As mentioned by previous statements, National APAMSA recognizes that voting is a pivotal social determinant of health that underlies our ability as medical students, health advocates, and future leaders of health to serve our communities and strive for better health outcomes.
Please contact your local Senator to express your opposition against the passage of the SAVE Act. You can use 5 Calls to quickly locate your representatives’ numbers and be prepared with prompts that can help you discuss this particular bill and other issues at ease. Other resources like When We All Vote can also streamline the process to contact the appropriate representatives.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org
APAMSA Policy Compendium
If APAMSA is missing a resolution on an important area of AANHPI-related health policy, please reach out to our Resolutions Director at organizedmed@apamsa.org.
Last Updated: 04/2025
10.000 Health System Reform
10.001 Defending Access to Affordable Health Care
1) APAMSA recognizes that increased access, quality, and affordability should be the guiding principles of any move to reform health care; 2) APAMSA supports actions that increase the number of insured AANHPI’s, expand essential health benefits, and improve the quality and affordability of health care; 3) APAMSA opposes actions that make health care less accessible and less affordable for AANHPI communities. (Res 3, A-18)
10.002 Calling for Disaggregation of AAPI Health Outcomes Data
1) APAMSA advocate for federal/state legislation and other efforts by organizations and public agencies to disaggregate data regarding health outcomes and representation in medicine of multiple ethnic groups of the Asian American and Pacific Islander umbrella. (Res 3, B-18)
10.003 Promoting Access to Linguistic and Culturally Relevant Health Care
1) APAMSA supports efforts by medical schools and academic hospitals to emphasize to students and residents that good clinical practice requires the provision of culturally and linguistically relevant health care; 2) APAMSA support efforts to make all health resources and services available in as many languages as is clinically necessary, and to create a culture that encourages clinicians to provide equitable care to LEP patients; 3) APAMSA supports increased funding towards efforts and innovative practices that alleviate cultural and language barriers to health care. (Res 4, B-18)
10.004 Addressing the Lack of AAPI Health Outcomes Data
1) APAMSA supports the inclusion of Asian American patients in clinical trials; 2) APAMSA opposes actions by federal agencies that result in obscuring of AANHPI data or discouragement of AANHPI participation in surveys and Census questionnaires to the extent that they may ultimately harm AANHPI health.
10.005 Reaffirming that Vaccinations are a Public Health Advancement
1) APAMSA supports efforts by public officials to increase vaccinations; 2) APAMSA will strongly advocate for vaccinations for the public and support legislative limits on exemptions from vaccinations.
10.006 Support of a Single-Payer Universal Health Care System
1) APAMSA recognizes that a single payer universal health care system would grant coverage to all AANHPI’s, as well as improve access, quality, and accessibility of health care for all AANHPI’s; 2) APAMSA supports the implementation of a single payer universal health care system in the United States; 3) APAMSA supports intermediate actions that would facilitate a transition to a single payer universal health care system without increasing the number of uninsured or underinsured AANHPI’s.
10.007 Protecting the Rights of Health Care Students Living With Hepatitis B
1) APAMSA encourages health professions schools to develop ADA-compliant anti-discrimination policies based on disability that explicitly include and provide reasonable accommodations for persons with hepatitis B; 2) APAMSA supports efforts at health professions schools to educate faculty, staff, and students about hepatitis B and the rights and protections of individuals with disabilities under the ADA; 3) APAMSA encourages chapters to refer impacted and interested individuals to resources such as the Hepatitis B Foundation helpline or the Department of Justice; 4) APAMSA requests that health professions schools monitor and track instances of discrimination against students with hepatitis B so that appropriate action may be taken to address and prevent such incidents from occurring; 5) APAMSA supports efforts by its chapters to collaborate with professional organizations and advocacy groups in advocating for the rights of individuals with hepatitis B.
10.008: Promoting Gender and Sexuality Equity in Medicine and Healthcare
1) APAMSA recognizes and denounces discrimination against SGM populations at the individual, interpersonal, and structural level; 2) APAMSA encourages medical professionals to adopt a sexuality- and gender-affirming approach to patient care that respects intersectional identities; 3) APAMSA encourages medical professionals to advocate for SGM patients in the face of challenges and barriers to health care when encountered; 4) APAMSA advises medical institutions to acknowledge and act on the importance of educating medical students on SGM topics and care to better equip future physicians and address current inequities affecting the SGM community; 5) APAMSA advises medical institutions to implement gender-affirming practices and nondiscrimination policies wherever applicable; 6) APAMSA advocates for legislation and policies, and supports organizations and public health agencies that aim to promote health equity and well-being of SGM populations.
10.009 Addressing Weight Stigma and Weight Discrimination in Medicine and Healthcare
1) APAMSA denounces weight stigma and discrimination in medicine and healthcare, recognizing it as a barrier to providing high-quality and egalitarian care, and thus leading to poorer health outcomes; 2) APAMSA supports advancing research on the impact of weight stigma on health outcomes, particularly among AANHPI populations; 3) APAMSA upholds a weight-inclusive approach to patient care and endorses medical training that improves provider attitudes and empathy toward higher BMI patients; 4) APAMSA promotes adopting medical equipment that are usable by patients of all sizes and ensuring that specialized instruments for higher BMI patients are readily available; 5) APAMSA further supports deeper investigation into how bodily factors like weight affect public perceptions of Asian Americans and the intersectionality of weight, gender, and race.
10.010 Defending Access to Abortion Services
1) APAMSA recognizes the access to safe, voluntary, high quality, and affordable abortion services as a fundamental aspect of health care, to which all people have a right, and thereby recognizes the right of all people to have access to the aforementioned abortion services in a safe and secure environment; 2) APAMSA opposes further local, state, and federal legislative attempts to restrict abortion services, as well as other family planning services such as contraception; 3) APAMSA advocates for legislative changes to protect this right and thereby to ensure the health of all communities; 4) APAMSA advocates for the safety and protections of abortion care providers such as physicians, midwives, nurses, doulas, and more, and condemns the threats and acts of violence against said providers.
1) APAMSA supports the development of anti-discrimination and anti- harassment policies for healthcare organizations (including but not limited to departments, hospitals, and clinics); 2) APAMSA supports community-led research initiatives assessing the success and effectiveness of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and implementation protocol; 3) APAMSA promotes increased reporting and meaningful organizational response to reporting; 4) APAMSA offers support and work to provide resources for AANHPI healthcare workers reporting instances of racism and harassment in the workplace.
10.012 Addressing Environmental Sustainability in Anesthetic Practice
1) APAMSA supports efforts by public health officials and hospital administrators to minimize anesthetic contributions to global warming without sacrificing quality of care, and be it further; 2) APAMSA will strongly advocate for improved operating room design, use of regional IV anesthetic techniques over gases when applicable, and waste minimization and disposal practice where appropriate with regards to environmental sustainability, and be it; 3) APAMSA advocates for the safety and well-being of the communities that will be disproportionately impacted by the global health crises brought about by increased temperatures worldwide.
10.013 Advancing Women’s Health Equity & Inclusion in Research
1) APAMSA encourages all chapters to work closely with research programs in schools to support female researchers and ensure accurate inclusion of biological sex as a variable in research studies; and be it further; 2)APAMSA will collaborate with American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and other concerned organizations on national initiatives aimed
at the recruitment of female students into research and medicine; and be it further; 3) APAMSA advocate for legislation and policies that support organizations, partners, and public health agencies promoting research and health equity for women; and be it further; 4)APAMSA support efforts to make mentorship, sponsorship, and resources for research fundings and involvement more accessible for female researchers, to create a culture of support for women in science.
10.014 Insurance Coverage of Adaptive Sports Equipment
1) APAMSA recognizes the crucial role of adaptive sports in improving health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with disabilities 2) APAMSA advocates for insurance companies to acknowledge adaptive sports equipment as a medically necessary intervention that promotes physical and mental well-being and prevents secondary health conditions 3) APAMSA follows up on legislative initiatives at the local and state levels and calls for new legislative initiatives at a federal level that mandate insurance coverage for adaptive sports equipment and programs 4) APAMSA partners with nationwide organizations such as the Challenged Athletes Foundation as well as local programs such as the Central California Adaptive Sports Center to raise awareness and support funding initiatives 5) APAMSA advocates for immediate action to ensure equitable access to adaptive sports to meet the growing number of individuals with disabilities, particularly children, to support their health, development, and well-being through inclusive physical activity 6) APAMSA brings awareness to the physical, social, and long-term benefits of adaptive sports by sharing and highlighting personal stories from participants and caregivers, emphasizing the significant impact on health, well-being, and community engagement.
20.000 Immigration
20.001 Protecting Undocumented Patients at Student-Run Clinics and Teaching Hospitals
1) APAMSA recognizes fears of detention and deportation as significant deterrents for immigrant families seeking health care; 2) APAMSA supports efforts by chapters to educate student-run clinics about the rights and options of undocumented immigrants seeking care; 3) APAMSA encourages initiatives to distribute language-appropriate printouts at student health clinics that express APAMSA’s support of undocumented immigrants’ rights and access to healthcare, and also directs them to resources such as pro bono legal help; 4) APAMSA encourages efforts to recruit specialists to offer pro-bono help at these clinics, including services such as post-surgical rehabilitation; 5) APAMSA opposes the presence of ICE at teaching hospitals and medical school rotation sites; 6) APAMSA supports legislation and policy designating healthcare facilities as sensitive locations where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement actions cannot occur. (Res 1, A-18)
20.002 Supporting Refugee and Migrant Health and Safety
1) APAMSA encourages efforts by chapters to promote and advocate for the health and safety of refugees and migrants; 2) APAMSA oppose any actions or policies that involve separation of immigrant children from their families; 3) APAMSA support greater public oversight of living conditions within public and private detention facilities to ensure they meet the standards set by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. (Res 1, B-18)
20.003 Supporting Health Care Access for Undocumented Immigrants
APAMSA supports efforts by public officials to make health coverage more accessible to undocumented individuals, including measures to expand Medicaid and other public health plans to income-eligible individuals regardless of immigration status.
30.000 Mental Health
30.001 Increasing Mental Health Resources and Fighting Stigma
1) APAMSA supports increased mental health resources at undergraduate and medical schools; 2) APAMSA supports efforts at undergraduate and medical schools to promote awareness of mental health resources and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness; 3) APAMSA supports legislation that increases access to culturally and linguistically relevant mental health care. (Res 2, A-18)
1) APAMSA continues to recognize and denounce racial discrimination at the individual, interpersonal, and structural level; 2) APAMSA continues to support increased vigilance investigating and resolving microaggressions and discrimination at undergraduate and medical schools; 3) APAMSA encourages academic and medical institutions to actively promote a positive racial environment, respecting every individual’s cultures, cultural practices, and cultural events; 4) APAMSA advises academic and medical institutions to recognize and denounce any racial microaggressions on the individual, cultural, or institutional level; 5) APAMSA encourages academic and medical institutions to raise awareness and take collective action to identify implicit bias, power, privilege differentials, and systemic racism inherent within academic medicine and our own lived experiences; 6) APAMSA supports legislation and policies that expand or continue protections against racial discrimination; 7) APAMSA supports legislation that increases access to culturally and linguistically relevant mental health care, particularly in the face of racial discrimination.
40.000 Racial Disparities
40.001 Advocating for Recognition of Southeast Asians and Pacific Islanders as URM
1) APAMSA will reach out to scholarship programs, pipeline programs, and other programs aimed at or catered to URM students and urge them to be inclusive of Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander students in all communications promoting their programs; 2) APAMSA will ask AAMC and AACOM to release a statement calling on medical schools to consider including Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander students in outreach and admissions efforts intended to increase student body diversity.
40.002 Improving Campus Diversity Initiatives
1) APAMSA believes the core mission of all campus diversity committees and initiatives should include a) active recruitment of URM students and b) curriculum reform efforts aimed at equipping students with the tools to address structural barriers to health care; 2) APAMSA encourages all chapters to work closely with diversity programs at their schools in pursuit of the above two goals through activities that include (but are not limited to) active involvement in the admissions process, calls for positive change to university policies, and periodic evaluation of their university’s fulfillment of specific, measurable diversity objectives; 3) APAMSA will collaborate with AMA-MSS, the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS), and other concerned organizations on national initiatives aimed at the recruitment of URM students into medicine.
40.003 Defending Race-Conscious Admissions in Undergraduate Medical Education
1) APAMSA recognizes that increased enrollment of students from communities that are historically underrepresented in medicine is beneficial and necessary for improving patient care; 2) APAMSA supports the use of race-conscious recruitment, admission, and retention practices by medical schools in the pursuit of a diverse and inclusive student population; 3) APAMSA opposes legislation and efforts that would dissolve or otherwise deter medical schools from employing race-conscious admissions policy to promote a diverse and inclusive student population.
40.004 Against Racism in Medicine
1) APAMSA opposes all forms of racism both in medicine and in society at large; 2) APAMSA actively promotes an antiracist culture, including but not limited to a) rejecting all race-based medicine & science (e.g. race-based adjustments in eGFR and pulmonary function tests) and affirming that racism, not race, is a risk factor, b) supporting the creation of organized student anti-racism coalitions, including collaboration with other minority-based student organizations to address these issues within education, research, and clinical practices, and c) supporting institutional funding and creation of offices, staff, and spaces dedicated specifically to the needs of underrepresented groups in medicine.
40.005 Denouncing Housing Discrimination of AANHPI
1) APAMSA supports further research on the impact of housing discrimination on health and health inequities in AANHPI communities; 2) APAMSA denounces AANHPI housing discrimination in all its forms, and supports legislation and national fair housing policies that address persistent patterns of discrimination and inequity that negatively impact AANHPI health.
40.006 Denouncing Gun Violence and Supporting Gun Reform
1) APAMSA denounces gun violence, recognizing it as a imminent and preventable public health crisis which requires comprehensive public health and legislative response and solutions; 2) APAMSA supports a) federal and state research on firearm-related injuries and deaths; b) increased funding for and the use of state and national firearms injury databases to inform health policy; and c) legislative action for sensible gun laws that include, but are not limited to, promoting adequate oversight of firearms and ammunition, banning assault-type weapons, supporting gun buyback programs, mandatory training and licensing, and safe and secure firearm storage.
40.007 Redefining AAPI/APIA as AANHPI
1) APAMSA will henceforth use “AANHPI” in all future initiatives, published materials, and communications when referring to communities it represents, 2) APAMSA will release a statement encouraging U.S. medical schools and relevant stakeholders to acknowledge the unique history and cultural obstacles faced by Native Hawaiian communities; 3) APAMSA supports further research on the impact of discrimination and historical injustices on health outcomes and health inequities in the Native Hawaiian population.
40.008 Rectifying the Inequitable and Racist Effects of “The Flexner Report”
1) APAMSA will (a) acknowledge the harm created and sustained by the adoption of “The Flexner Report” and (b) work with appropriate stakeholders to create, distribute, and promote curricular materials that educate about this history; 2) APAMSA will advocate for the commissioning of a new comprehensive study to evaluate medical education in the United States, incorporating standards on antiracism, health equity, and justice training as well as other interventions preparing medical trainees to care for an increasingly diverse patient population; 3) APAMSA will advocate for the creation of HBCU-affiliated medical schools and support funding efforts for currently existing and future HBCU-affiliated medical schools, with the goal of achieving a physician workforce that is proportional to the general population in terms of race and ethnicity; 4) APAMSA will work with appropriate stakeholders to increase the number of scholarships, loan repayment programs, and other relevant measures to minimize the financial burden of medical training for Black medical students and other groups underrepresented in medicine; 5) APAMSA will advocate for studying the possibility of including antiracism competency as a part of graduation requirements for LCME- and COCA-accredited medical schools as well as ACGME-accredited residency programs.
40.009 Recognizing Cultural Trauma as a Source of Health Disparities
1) APAMSA supports the recognition of cultural trauma as a cause of health disparities; 2) APAMSA encourages culturally-sensitive trauma-informed care that acknowledges and integrates an individual’s cultural beliefs, values, and practices; 3) APAMSA promotes cultural awareness, responsiveness, and understanding to prevent cultural trauma, eliminate disparities, and advance health equity for all groups.
1) APAMSA advocates for federal legislation that promotes health equity within US-Affiliated Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Medicaid parity and the continued funding of federal safety net programs like disaster relief and health services; 2) APAMSA supports political equality and representation of U.S. territories; 3) APAMSA affirms its support for the health and well-being of individuals living in the US-API, especially in consideration of its large AANHPI population.
1) APAMSA calls attention to the dramatic rise in anti-Asian hate in the context of COVID-related political rhetoric that has exacerbated bias, discrimination, and hate against people of Asian descent; 2) APAMSA recognizes the disparities in health outcomes experienced by AANHPI communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to a disproportionately mortality burden among NHPIs and high case fatality rates and excess mortality among Asian Americans compared to the overall population and white Americans; 3) APAMSA advocates for public health policy and initiatives that advance our understanding of AANHPI health disparities and contribute to the mitigation of such disparities with respect to not only COVID-19 but also future pandemics and other disease burdens facing AANHPI communities; 4) APAMSA reaffirms its call for the inclusion of AANHPIs in all health data collection and reporting by race and ethnicity, and further that this data be disaggregated by AANHPI subgroups to the furthest extent possible; 5) APAMSA acknowledges disparities in disease burden facing all people of color and seeks to work in allyship towards advancing shared goals in ameliorating health disparities.
40.012 Support of Incarcerated AANHPI Health
1) APAMSA will support efforts to increase data collection and research regarding incarcerated AANHPI experiences 2) APAMSA recognizes incarcerated individuals as a key demographic within AANHPI communities that face unique health disparities 3) APAMSA advocates for the safe evacuation of incarcerated individuals who are at risk of facing natural disasters and epidemics 4) APAMSA advocates for incarcerated individuals to have access to quality healthcare and their medical needs met.
40.013 Opposition to the Use of Capital Punishment
1) APAMSA affirms the Fifth Amendment right that no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law 2) APAMSA recognizes the racial bias of the justice system and the arbitrary nature of capital punishment sentencing 3) APAMSA supports all efforts to enact more equitable policies towards crime 4) APAMSA advocates for a fair and just criminal justice system with criminal justice reforms 5) APAMSA condemns the continued implementation and sentencing of capital punishment.
50.000 Medical Education
50.001 Reducing Drug Industry Influence on Continuing Medical Education
1) APAMSA recognizes that CME that is free from industry sponsorship will increase rational prescribing, reduce commercial bias in medical education, and protect patients from unnecessary and potentially harmful drugs; 2) APAMSA encourages the attendance of “pharma-free CME” which requires that a) no speakers and committees involved have industry ties or payments and b) no monetary or non-monetary industry contributions are used to support the CME; 3) APAMSA supports alternatives to industry sponsorship to keep CME low-cost and objective for participating healthcare providers.
50.002 Increasing Skin Tone Representation in Dermatology
APAMSA supports the equitable representation of darker skin tones in dermatologic medical education, including but not limited to didactic materials and practice-based learning.
50.003 Increasing Access to Type II Diabetes Education, Awareness, and Prevention in AANHPI
1) APAMSA support efforts at medical schools and clinical settings to promote type 2 diabetes awareness, education, and health advocacy in AANHPI; 2) APAMSA supports integration of culturally informed type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment within medical education curriculum and clinical guidelines; 3) APAMSA support research efforts on type 2 diabetes prevalence and clinical presentations in AANHPI.
50.004 APAMSA Support and Advocacy for Osteopathic Medical Students
1) APAMSA will support representation of Osteopathic Students and Physicians through collaborating with Osteopathic Organizations and national policy organizations to ensure representation of AANHPI osteopathic physicians, students, and residents; and be it Further; 2) APAMSA will encourage awareness of the benefits of evidence-based Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine for musculoskeletal conditions in order to further patient and allopathic physician understanding of osteopathic medicine; 3) APAMSA will release a statement supporting the Fair Access in Residency (FAIR) Act H.R. 751, ensuring Medicare-funded GME programs allow participation of DOs. This bill will affirm that residency programs do accept both osteopathic and allopathic students and that the COMLEX and USMLE are equally accepted.
50.005 Standardization of LGBTQIA+ Health in Medical Curriculum
1) APAMSA recognizes the need for inclusion of LGBTQIA+ healthcare topics in medical education 2) APAMSA develops resources and programming through its LGBTQIA+ director and committee, to educate medical students on inclusive and respectful language for LGBTQIA+ patients in clinical settings 3) APAMSA advocate for the development of standardized educational resources on LGBTQIA+ health for medical students and continuing medical education of healthcare professionals 4) APAMSA encourages medical institutions to incorporate LGBTQIA+ health into their core curriculum 5) APAMSA oppose efforts to remove LGBTQIA+ content in undergraduate and graduate level medical education 6) APAMSA recognizes that all physicians, regardless of specialty, should be trained in the fundamentals of LGBTQIA+ health 7) APAMSA advocates for policies and legislation that support the implementation of LGBTQIA+ health content in medical education 8) APAMSA opposes anti-LGBTQIA+ efforts at the national, state, and local level.
Response to Executive Order to Eliminate the Department of Education
On March 20, 2025, President Donald J.Trump signed a new executive order directing the Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, to pursue the closure of the Department of Education (ED). The ED distributes over $1.6 trillion in federal loans and financial aid for students, enforces civil right laws such as Title VI and Title IX, funds public school budgets, and gathers education statistics. The executive order also directs the Education Department to restrict any federally funded programs or activities under the label of “diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI),” reinforcing previous executive orders aimed at rolling back DEI initiatives.
Given that over 70% of medical students take out loans, especially utilizing federal loan programs like the Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Graduate Plus loans, the closure of the ED will jeopardize these loan programs and loan repayment programs that have been a cornerstone reducing medical education debt.
National APAMSA condemns this policy directive that will undermine student education funding and diminish the protections against racism and discrimination in schools and colleges across the nation. As mentioned in our previous statements and in our official policy compendium, APAMSA continues to advocate and work with policymakers and professional organizations to protect efforts to increase diversity and equity in medical education.
We urge Congress to oppose any bills aimed at formalizing the elimination of the ED and to commit to the protection of the department and countless other diversity programs. Please contact your local Congressional representative to express your support to maintain the Department of Education.
For questions about this statement, please reach out to Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org. For local support, please contact your regional director.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Brian Leung at rapidresponse@apamsa.org