1. Board President, Chad Putman, LMSW
Affordable Care Act Addressing the needs of the LGBT community Federal, state and local advocacy
New York State
Board President, Chad Putman, LMSW
Ensuring the LGBT Community of Capital District have access to culturally competent and compassionate health care and human services

2. The State of things… 2.6 Million New Yorkers are uninsured
1 in 3 Children in NYS are covered by Medicaid
$24,ooo / Average cost for family to buy health insurance on their on in NYS
58% of New Yorkers were covered by employer sponsored insurance plans in 2009
With the Affordable Care Act…
1.2 Million New Yorkers are projected to become newly insured once the AFC is fully implemented
Data from - nyshealthfoundation.org

3. http://www. guardian. co

4. Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc
Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc. - founded in 2001, 501/c3 - no paid staff – run by Board of Directors - member of the National Coalition for LGBT Health and the NYS LGBT Health & Human Service Network - surviving on fundraised dollars and savings
RAI Programing
Two – Tiered Approach
HHS Providers
- Cultural Competency Trainings - Online
- Technical Assistance Data Collection
- Promote Best Practices (HRC-HEI)
LGBT Consumers
- Health & Wellness Events
- Healthcare Stories
- Healthcare Development

5. Challenges… Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (NYS & Beyond)
LGBT Data Collection in HHS
LGBT friendly Policies & Procedures in HHS
(consumer & Employee)
LGBT Healthcare Development
Identifying & Reducing LGBT Health Disparities

6. Challenges… *According to the 2009 NYS LGBT HHS Needs Assessment
40% reported healthcare providers lacked basic LGBT cultural competency and fear of discrimination as a barrier to accessing care
Youth, transgender and gender non conforming people and Black and Hispanic LGBT people reported higher rates of depression and reduced access to mental health care
*Number of HRC-Heathcare Equality Index participants in NYS =
State (15) / NYC (8) / Northeastern NY (0)

7. NYS LGBT Health & Human Service Network
Resources & Outputs
2009 LGBT Health & Human Service Needs Assessment 2010 Blueprint for meeting LGBT Health and Human Service Needs in NYS NYS Assembly, Senate & Governor funding 2008 – 8 Million 2010 – 5.3 Million 2012 – 5.2 Million
NYS LGBT Health Month started in 2011 *Built upon Nat LGBT Health wk - Statewide theme - Facebook/Twitter -Press Conference - Resolutions of support Senate/Assembly - Events & Activities - Video

8. National Resources National Coalition for LGBT Health
Human Rights Campaign - Healthcare Equality Index
Joint Commission – LGBT Field guide for Hospitals
2011 / IOM Report – The Health of LGBT People…
Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare – Dept HHS)
National LGBT Education Center (Fenway Institute)
LGBT Healthcare Stories -Coalition Site

9. Facebook @ Rainbow Access Initiative www.RAI-Health.org (Blog)
In closing…
Contact Information:
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Phone:
Rainbow Access Initiative
(Blog)