WEALTH

Newsletter of the WIN Womens Health Policy Network

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June 2012 Volume 4 Issue 6

This Pride, Raise Awareness of LGBT Health Disparities

On June 1st, President Obama declared June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, just as he has for the past three year. This year, the proclamation seems to hold a little more weight, having come only a few weeks after the President publicly gave his support for marriage equality among same sex couples. While the Administration isnt likely to act politically before the election, they are working on equality in other areas, health being one. Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, acknowledging the higher levels of discrimination that LGBT individuals have experienced in the health care system for many decades, noted how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) works to achieve to fairness for all . Specifically for those that identify as LGBT, it prohibits insurers from turning away individuals from due to their sexual orientation and allows same-sex couples hospital visitation rights. To address long-standing disparities, HHS has started collecting better data specific to LGBT populations. Not unrelated to health, the Administration has worked to prevent bullying among adolescents, recognizing the high number of suicides among LGBT children that had been bullied. The Administration concedes that there is more work to be done, and like anything else, it will take organizing and pressure from outside organizations to ensure the Administration remembers its commitments to the LGBT community. A coalition of organizations have been working to do just that, by introducing and promoting the Health Equity and Accountability Act which would work to end disparities that intersect race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability status and immigration status. Read more about the legislation and the barriers it strives to break. To learn more about LGBT health: Read the full HHS statement on LGBT Pride Month See the Healthy People 2020 LGBT Health Fact Sheet Visit The National Coalition for LGBT Health

Network Announcement
Saturday, July 7th, 11:30 am: Second Annual Network Brunch

(More) Pancakes & Policy

Our Network brunch was so popular last year, weve decided to make it an annual event! If you're (still) hungry for affordable, quality healthcare, join the WIN Womens Health Policy Network for brunch at the Tabard Inn. Come celebrate (or mourn) the SCOTUS ACA decision with fellow WINers in the public health & health policy fields. RSVP now, space is limited!

Did You Know?

June is also Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month: PTSD affects 1 in 29 Americans, from our countrys service men and women to abused children and survivors of rape, domestic violence and natural disasters. It is an anxiety disorder that may be characterized by loss of sleep, anger, recurrent dreams about the event, isolation, and intense reactions to things that trigger memories about the event, just to name a few symptoms. PTSD may occur within immediately after an event for some, but can take months or years for others, but no matter when it surfaces, treatment is available. Learn more about the signs & symptoms of PTSD at the National Institute of Mental Health. June 27th is National HIV/AIDS Testing Day: National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control." In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in five don't know they are infected. Learn more at AIDS.gov.
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New Health Policy Resources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: New Na Kaiser Family Foundation: New analysis from the Commission on Medicaid and

tional Healthcare Quality Report provides update on progress and opportunities for improving health care quality and reducing health care disparities in 2011 Guttmacher Institute: New survey shows the national network of publicly funded family planning clinics gives women vital access to contraceptive and other preventive care Health Affairs: New study measured the actuarial value for a sample of 2010 health plans and found the majority fell below minimum standards and benefits required by plans in 2014 under the ACA New brief examines efforts to better manage and coordinate care of more than nine million dual eligibles

the Uninsured examines the variation across states in the role dual eligibles play within Medicaid programs New brief from the Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured examines how states have responded to five key opportunities available under the ACA to help them prepare for Medicaid expansion New brief examines Massachusetts experience with coverage and access to care over the last six years New tutorial looks at characteristics of dual eligibles, including types of services and coverage they receive, and how program spending for this population is allocated New analysis looks at the difficulties uninsured people ages 55-64 had accessing health care in 2010

Upcoming Health Policy Events

June 19, 12-1:30 pm: NASHP Webinar, Quality

Recent Womens Health Action on the Hill

May 16: House passed the Violence

Improvement Techniques to Improve Care Coordination: An Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD). Learn more. June 19, 12-2 pm: Health Equity Initiative Summer 2012 Online Workshop, Strategies for Successful Multisectoral Partnerships. Learn more. June 19, 12-2 pm: Kaiser Family Foundation Public Forum, Filling the Gaps: Dental Care, Coverage and Access. Barbara Jordan Conference Center, Washington D.C. Learn more. June 19 August 14: Sex & Politics in the Capital City - A Weekly Intern Advocacy Series on Sexual Health, Reproductive Justice and HIV/AIDS. Learn more. June 20-22: National Council for Research on Women Annual Conference, Agenda-setting 2012 Nationally and Globally: Leveraging Womens Voices. Georgetown University Conference Center, Washington D.C. Learn more. June 21, 12 - 12:45 pm: HHS Webinar, Whos Leading the Leading Health Indicators? Reproductive and Sexual Health. Learn more. June 22, 1 pm: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Webinar, Making the Economic Case for Health Equity: State and Tribal Solutions. Learn more. June 26, 2-3 pm: HHS/Aids.gov Webinar, HIV Testing for an AIDS-Free Generation. Learn more. June 29 - July 1: 2012 National NOW Conference. Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport, MD. Learn more. July 5-8: Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions Conference, International Conference on Health in the African Diaspora. Baltimore, MD. Learn more.

Against Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4970) May 17: House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing on the District of Columbia PainCapable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 3803) May 22: Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY2013 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies spending bill (S. 3215) May 24: Senate passed the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (S. 414) May 30: House approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reform Act (H.R. 5651) and the Servicemember Family Protection Act (H.R. 4201) May 31: House approved the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies FY2013 spending bill (H.R. 5854) June 5: Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, Combating Poverty: Understanding New Challenges for Families June 6: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies approved the FY2013 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies spending bill June 7: House approved en bloc the International Food Assistance Improvement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4141)

Source: Womens Policy Inc.

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