Older adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) are a rapidly growing demographic in the United States. This population often experiences discrimination and stigma when engaging with the health care system or accessing social supports and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than straight, cisgender individuals. Obtaining services that meet this population’s unique needs, including receiving culturally responsive care in long-term care facilities or through home- and community-based services, can be a challenge. Like many states, California is seeking to address these and other equity challenges. The states’ Medicaid transformation effort, California Advancing and Innovating in Medi-Cal (CalAIM), offers new ways to transform care for this population.
This webinar, made possible by the California Health Care Foundation, highlighted key issues impacting health care delivery and access for LGBTQ+ older adults. It outlined new opportunities within CalAIM to improve care and service delivery for this population, which can inform similar efforts nationally.
Policymakers, providers, LGBTQ+ advocates, managed care plans, health care researchers and organizations, and other interested stakeholders were invited to join this 60-minute event.
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Carrie Graham, PhD, Director, Long-Term Services and Supports, Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)
C. Graham provided welcoming remarks, introductions, and an overview of the webinar.
II. Addressing the Health Care and Social Needs of LGBTQ+ Older Adults
Speaker: Jason Flatt, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
J. Flatt provided an overview of national policy research highlighting the unique health care and social support needs of LGBTQ+ older adults and how Medicaid can help.
III. Panel Discussion: How Medicaid Can Improve Health and Social Care for LGBTQ+ Older Adults
Moderator: Matthew Phan, MSG, Program Associate, CHCS
M. Phan facilitated a panel discussion on opportunities to improve the delivery of and access to health care and social supports for older LGBTQ+ adults through state Medicaid initiatives, such as CalAIM, and other programs.
Panel:
- Jason Flatt, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Kathleen Sullivan, PhD, Executive Director, Openhouse, San Francisco, California
- Sean Cahill, PhD, Director of Health Policy Research, Fenway Health Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
IV. Moderated Q&A
The audience was invited to participate in a question-and-answer session.
