Webinar Invitation: The ACA and LGBT Individuals—Delivering Culturally Competent Quality Care in Clinical Settings

On May 20, 2014, the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP) will host a webinar to present best practices in caring for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) clients in the clinical setting, particularly those at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is providing new health benefits to millions of Americans, and improving the health of LGBT Americans in several some major ways, by:

• Ensuring equal access to coverage.
• Promoting wellness by generally requiring insurers to cover preventive care at no additional cost.
• Preventing discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions.
• Eliminating lifetime limits on coverage for individuals with chronic diseases.
• Treating all families equally in gaining access to coverage.

LGBT Americans are among the more than 8 million persons who took advantage of the first open enrollment period to sign up for health insurance through the Marketplaces, and are also among the millions of others who have remained on their parents’ health plans, gained coverage under expanded Medicaid in many states, or purchased ACA-compliant coverage outside the Marketplaces. They are one of the groups poised to benefit from the ACA. Historically, LGBT individuals have encountered discrimination in the health care system, and many studies have shown that LGBT people are affected by chronic diseases at higher rates than other Americans. LGBT individuals are also at greater risk for substance abuse and mental health problems, HIV and AIDS, and viral hepatitis. Additionally, some LGBT persons have cited prior experiences with stigma and discrimination from health care providers as major barriers to seeking health care.

Our challenge now is to educate all enrollees on how best to use their health coverage to improve their and their family’s quality of health and to ensure that health care providers are equipped to meet the needs of a larger, often more diverse, pool of clients. HHS is working diligently to assist in these efforts. We can improve the care experience of LGBT patients and promote their retention in care by sharing information, tools and best practices with healthcare providers about how best to serve these communities.

The webinar on delivering culturally competent care to LGBT patients will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (EDT). Though it is designed specifically for health care providers, it is a public webinar, and available to all who might find this information useful.

This webinar will feature presentations from:

• Mr. Kellan Baker, Associate Director, LGBT Research and Communications Project, Center for American ProgressExit Disclaimer
• Dr. Jennifer Kates, Vice President and Director of Global Health & HIV Policy, Kaiser Family FoundationExit Disclaimer
• Mr. Gem Daus, Office of Health Equity, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Dr. Harvey Makadon, Director, National LGBT Health Education Center, The Fenway Institute, Fenway HealthExit Disclaimer

Following the final presentation, time will be available for public Q&A with the panelists.

Please register for the webinar hereExit Disclaimer. We hope you’ll join us!