The MolinaCares Accord Hosts Panel on Addressing Health, Wellness, and Equity in California’s LGBTQ+ Community
Roger Salazar, rsalazar@alzamedia.com, 916-284-1255
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo provides welcome remarks with focus on accessible care for the LBGTQ+ community
LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 8, 2021 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”), hosted a virtual panel on Addressing Health, Wellness, and Equity in California’s LGBTQ+ Community. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara offered welcoming remarks before a panel of experts moderated by Equality California program manager Dr. Shannon Kozlovich.
The panel of experts from across California discussed the distinct health care needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and the factors that impact their mental and physical health outcomes. They focused on what government, health care providers, and advocacy organizations are doing to ensure access to high-quality care, and how collaboration across sectors can work to address inequities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic.
Commissioner Lara opened the panel by highlighting California’s efforts to provide accessible and culturally-competent care for LGBTQ+ individuals, stating, “The history of the LGBTQ+ community is a history of fighting against invisibility and of longstanding government neglect for LGBTQ+ health – often because we are not at the table when decisions are being made. I am working to change that. I have taken many actions to provide accessible and culturally competent care for our LGBTQ+ community and will continue to do so.”
Dr. Felix Nuñez, Inland Empire medical director for Molina Healthcare of California, followed Commissioner Lara’s remarks. “Molina is committed to providing high-quality care to our members, and understanding the needs of LGBTQ+ community is an important part of delivering that care. Organizations that work closely with members of the LGBTQ+ community are important partners for connecting people with the resources and support they need, particularly for underserved populations.”
The panel of experts included Craig Pulsipher, associate director of government affairs for APLA Health; Thomi Clinton, chief executive officer of the Transgender Health & Wellness Center; Amanda McAllister-Wallner, director of the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network; and Gerald Garth, chief operating officer of the AMAAD (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) Institute.
The full panel discussion can be viewed HERE.
About The MolinaCares Accord:
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of California:
Molina Healthcare of California has been providing government-funded care for 40 years. The Company serves members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Covered California (Marketplace). Molina’s service areas include Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange County and Imperial counties. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 4.8 million members as of September 30, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of California, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.