March 18, 2021
NCQA is deeply saddened and disturbed by the increasing violence and recent murders in Atlanta against individuals from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We strongly condemn all forms of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. Bullying, harassment and violence against the AAPI community is inexcusable and must be stopped. Acknowledging and condemning the violence enacted on the AAPI community, as well as the persistent racism and stereotypes at the root, is in line with NCQA’s move to recognize the ways racism and discrimination negatively impact population health and wellbeing.
Violence against the AAPI community has significantly increased over the past year. Heightened xenophobic rhetoric against the AAPI community since the start of the pandemic, regrettably emboldened by some in influential positions, has led to unfounded stigma and fear, putting the AAPI community at risk. Yet despite recent tragic events and increasing intolerance, AAPI health professionals continue to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and serve patients on the front lines. All individuals – regardless of their background, religious beliefs, race, language, gender identity, or sexual orientation – deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” NCQA stands in solidarity with the AAPI community during this horrific time. We continue to invite all stakeholders we work with—health plans, medical practices, employers, states and the federal government—to challenge leaders and organizations to identify and examine opportunities to create meaningful change.