July 2015 Blogs

LGBT Communities Meet at IHS Headquarters

Yesterday, IHS Headquarters in Maryland hosted a public meeting on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health issues. We had a dynamic and productive conversation. If you were able to attend-thank you for making time for this important discussion. I am grateful for your participation and for the great ideas that you so generously shared with us.

IHS is committed to achieving equal access to health care for all American Indian and Alaska Native people, including LGBT communities. The goal of yesterday's meeting was to gain a better understanding of the health care needs of American Indian and Alaska Native LGBT individuals so that IHS can implement changes in health policy and health care delivery, changes that will enhance the health care that these groups receive. We discussed recommendations and opportunities in the areas of clinical practice, behavioral health, services and eligibility, and organizational strategies.

Through Listening Sessions like this one, we seek to increase community access to and engagement with IHS leadership. We hope to secure a legacy of transparent, accountable, fair, and inclusive decision-making specific to American Indian and Alaska Native LGBT people. We took important steps towards that goal yesterday. In approximately 10 days, IHS will release a report of the meeting, so please keep a look out.

In addition to this meeting, IHS recently closed a formal public comment period on several key dimensions of the health needs of the American Indian and Alaska Native LGBT communities. Many of you responded to that request, and we are carefully considering those comments, as well.

We celebrate these important efforts to advance and promote the health of American Indian and Alaska Native LGBT communities.

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