New COVID-19 Bill Will Restore Health Care Access to Compact of Free Association Residents
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS — Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, in collaboration with Compact of Free Association community leaders from across the country gathered in a virtual meeting on Sunday, December 20, 2020 to celebrate the announced bipartisan Congressional COVID-19 relief deal that would permanently restore Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility to people living in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA). The COFA treaty was signed into law in 1986 and covers citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. It affirmed the right of citizens of these three nations to settle in the United States after the U.S. military tested nuclear bombs in the 1940s and 1950s in the Marshall Islands. COFA citizens lost access to Medicaid, CHIP, and other assistance programs after Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, despite being taxpayers who can live and work in the U.S. without restriction.
The new legislation, expected to be passed shortly by Congress, reflects the work done to advance the Covering Our FAS Allies Act (H.R.4821 and S.2218), led by Senator Mazie Hirono and Representative Tony Cardenas. Representative Steve Womack of Arkansas was one of the first Republicans to support the legislation. It will address this historical injustice for COFA citizens, in addition to providing needed economic relief during this pandemic.
“This is a historical moment for all COFA citizens living in the United States. For over 25 years, we have suffered because of health inequity. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the gruesome health injustices that we COFA communities recognized, but the rest of the world ignored.Today we find peace and comfort in knowing that one of our fundamental human rights will finally be restored. Our COFA communities worked tirelessly for over six years to ensure that our stories are not forgotten. Today is a powerful testament to the strength of our stories, and to our peoples’ resilience,” said Melisa Laelan, Executive Director of Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese.
There are at least 100,000 COFA citizens living in the U.S., including more than 12,000 living in Arkansas alone, and more than one in five have no health insurance. They have faced disproportionate hardships during the pandemic. Restored access to Medicaid and CHIP is the result of a multiyear coalition effort by COFA community leaders, who have worked across the country to highlight the stories of the harm caused by our lack of access to health insurance programs. Thanks to this advocacy, states like Oregon, Washington and Arkansas have already passed programs to help their large COFA populations, but now the federal government is taking responsibility for the treaty it signed.
While COFA leaders are celebrating renewed access to healthcare, our communities still lack eligibility for other assistance programs, such as food stamps. Congress must work to ensure we have access to the programs our community was eligible for when the original compacts were signed, and that our tax dollars support.
We Are Oceania
"This is a moment of gratitude for the COFA citizens in Hawai'i and all across the United States. The great news today was possible because of fierce leaders Senator Hirono, Senator Schatz, Representative Case and Representative Gabbard. Their tireless effort year after year has finally paid off. I also want to acknowledge my colleague, a great warrior, Dr. Joakim Peter, who led our community in this fight until his very last moment on earth. On behalf of him, our colleagues, and the Micronesian Community, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to the Hawai'i Leadership, our allies, and everyone who made the restoration of Medicaid for COFA citizens possible."
-Josie Howard, Executive Director of We Are Oceania, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Marshallese COVID-19 Task Force
“As a physician for more than 20 years, and a member of the Marshallese community in Arkansas, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating health effects on COFA citizens who are barred from accessing health care. It has only gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we’ve lost far too many loved ones. Seeing our communities regain access to health care gives me hope for our future, when our communities can finally get the care they need and deserve.”
-Dr. Sheldon Riklon, Marshallese Family Physician, Northwest Arkansas
COFA Alliance National Network
“It is difficult to find the words to adequately express how deeply grateful we the community feel in finally arriving at this moment - on the precipice of passing legislation which the community has collectively and tirelessly worked on for decades. Restoring healthcare access to islanders from the COFA nations is honoring the long relationship that the U.S. has had with the Micronesian nations but most of all it is honoring our shared humanity.”
-Joe Enlet, President of COFA Alliance National Network and Consul General of the Federated States of Micronesia, Portland, Oregon
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
“This is certainly a great Christmas present for all COFA citizens across the US. A huge kommol tata to everyone that played a role in getting us to this historical milestone. Above all, thank you Jesus Christ for your mercy and grace.”
-Eldon Alik, Consul General of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Arkansas
COFA leaders from the following groups and organizations participated in Sunday night’s online gathering to reflect on and acknowledge our collective advocacy journey, to honor Dr. Joakim Peter, and to celebrate this historic legislation. The group plans to host a virtual press conference once the bill is signed.
Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (AR)
Marshallese COVID-19 Task Force (AR)
COFA Alliance National Network Arizona (AZ)
Hawaii Marshallese COVID-19 Task Force (HI)
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services (HI)
Marshallese Community Organization of Hawaii (HI)
Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition (HI)
We Are Oceania (HI)
Dubuque Pacific Islander Health Project (IA)
Kaselel Counseling & Consultation, PLLC (MI)
Springfield Marshallese Community (MO)
Micronesian Coalition in Oklahoma (OK)
COFA Alliance National Network Texas (TX)
Utah Marshallese Association (UT)
Utah Micronesian Coalition (UT)
COFA Alliance National Network Washington (WA)
Marshallese Women’s Association (WA)
# # #
Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM) is a nonprofit organization 501c(3) founded in 2011 focuses on initiatives to improve the quality of life for the more than 5000 Marshallese community members living in Arkansas. We serve Marshallese and strive to help other islander communities. ACOM empowers the Marshallese community through a culturally sensitive approach utilizing education, leadership, policy and holistic services. For more information about ACOM, visit www.arkansasmarshallese.org.