ROCKVILLE, Md. (Diya TV) — Maryland’s inaugural South Asian American Health Summit brought physicians, researchers, policymakers and community advocates to the Universities at Shady Grove on Saturday to address healthcare access, research gaps and changes to Medicaid eligibility.
The Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives organized the gathering under the theme “Voices for Vision: Empowering Care Through Advocacy and Innovation.” Sessions covered healthcare policy, clinical research, medical technology and physician practices.
Commission Chair Preet Takhar said grouping South Asians within a broad “Asian” category in health data can obscure community-specific risks. He called for research and services that better address cardiovascular disease, diabetes, language barriers and mental health stigma.
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller urged healthcare professionals to earn patients’ trust through listening and culturally responsive care. She also encouraged providers to help patients distinguish reliable medical guidance from misleading online information.
Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani discussed federal Medicaid restrictions that took effect Oct. 1. She said the changes ended coverage for approximately forty-five hundred lawfully present immigrants in Maryland and urged providers and community organizations to help affected residents find alternative care.
State guidance identifies refugees, asylees, certain humanitarian parolees and some survivors of abuse or trafficking among those losing eligibility. Exceptions remain for qualifying children, pregnant residents and certain other immigration categories. Maryland Medicaid serves about one and a half million residents.
Dr. Bishal Bhandari, who chairs the commission’s Health Committee, called for greater South Asian participation in clinical studies. He said research should better reflect differences in disease risks and responses to medication.
Miller and Seshamani presented Governor’s Citations to Bhandari and commission Vice Chair Dr. Ahmed Nawaz for their healthcare contributions.
