L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest publicly operated health plan in the country, unequivocally condemns the shameful Anti-Asian hate crimes that have spiked across the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Voice of America reports an increase of anti-Asian hate crimes of almost 150 percent in 16 of the country’s most populous cities last year, and in recent weeks, there have been numerous reports of brazen attacks on the streets of several cities.
While every incident might not rise to the level of a hate crime, we consider any act of hate to be reprehensible. Many of these acts can be traced to misplaced blame for the pandemic, since early cases arose in China. Some individuals and groups have fanned the flames of racial hatred during this time, and that certainly has not helped.
It is important for a health plan to stand up to hate, since it is clear that hate is a threat to public health. Last summer, L.A. Care issued a Statement of Principles on Social Justice and Systemic Racism strongly condemning racism or discrimination of any kind. As a member of the LA vs Hate Coalition, L.A. Care continues its commitment as an active ally to the Asian community, and believes all people deserve to be treated with dignity, common courtesy, and respect. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, and we should not let hate divide us. L.A. Care stands in solidarity with Asian Americans against those who would do them harm.