LGBTQ Healthcare

ReformOpportunities for

Engagement

Objective1. Start the discussion

2. Identify opportunities for advocacy

3. Encourage LGBTQ people to get involved!

Background and MissionTo advance the health and

wellness of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer

communities through research, education and advocacy.

Rainbow Health Initiative advances health equity

for all LGBTQ people by:• Deliver essential resources to improve community health.

• Expand access and availability to culturally competent care.

• Improve the health of the LGBTQ community.

• Ensure that LGBTQ health is part of the public dialogue.

Impact Goals

Healthcare Reform Task Force

Who:

Commissioners

Legislators

Private Sector

Representatives

Charged with developing strategies that:

- Improve access to health care for all Minnesotans

- Lower health care costs by reforming how we pay for health care and changing the incentives, so we encourage preventative care and reward healthy outcomes, not sickness.

- Improve the health of all Minnesotans and address the huge health disparities that plague our state.

http://mn.gov/health-reform

Roadmap to a Healthier MinnesotaDraft Document

Recommendations of the MN Health Reform Task Force

to Governor Dayton

Opportunities and Challenges

DRAFT

Open for comment

Meetings are open to the public

History

Controversial

Lack of federal mandate

What we can do!Provide Public Comment in 3 Easy Steps:

Step One: You don’t need to understand every inch of healthcare reform to have a valid opinion of how our systems should be inclusive of all people.  Step Two: Look at the Roadmap (or skim it). It is very large (37 pages)

Step Three: By December 10th, 2012 let the task force know what you think about the fact that their recommendations leave out the LGBTQ population in MN.

Read the RoadmapStep Two: Look at the Roadmap (or skim it). It is very large (37 pages)

Find the document here:http://mn.gov/health-reform/images/TaskForce-2012-11-29-DraftRoadmap.pdf

Please see page 29-Strategy Element #22 Implement best practices for collection and reporting of data by healthcare providers and

payers on detailed categories of race, ethnicity, and language linked to health disparities.

If we are not counted, we do not exist!

We need to ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity are added as detailed categories. Not doing so perpetuates the HEALTH

DISPARITIES experienced by people due to their orientation and identity. LGBTQ people will continue to experience significant health disparities

until we fix this system of exclusion!

Why Focus on Data Collection?

• If you don’t ask you don’t know

• If we are not counted we do not exist

• Health disparities, documentation, improvement

• Funding, resources, research, programming

• Ultimate goal of health equity for all communities!

Deadline is December 10th,2012

Comment By:

Writing a letter, emailing and using

social media

Providing Public Comment

Step Three: let the task force know what you think about the fact that their recommendations leave out the LGBTQ population in MN.

Take Action: Ensure LGBTQ InclusionEmail: Healthreform.MN@state.mn.us

• A comment in the body of the email• Attach a letter to the task force

More Ways To Get Involved:

• A good ol’ fashon organizing

• Make a phone call

• Have a one on one

Take Action: Continued

@GovMarkDayton prioritize health equity in MN Healthcare reform @rainbowhealth #LGBTinclusion

@GovMarkDayton Minneapolis ranks 4th in the nation for LGB population MN Healthcare reform needs to include this population! @rainbowhealth #LGBTinclusion

Also make sure to follow us! @rainbowhealth

Take Action: Continued

• Update your status about the Roadmap or anything you learned today

• Share Rainbow Health Posts about reform

• Ask ONE friend to do the same

Thank you!Contact Us:

Ani KochDirector of Programs

ani.koch@rainbowhealth.org612-206-3180

A new website coming soon! www.rainbowhealth.org