Colorado LGBT group seeks input on health care

A statewide LGBT advocacy organization wants to know how you interact with your health care providers – from your employer’s insurance program to primary care doctor to the last time you were in the emergency room.

One Colorado launched its second statewide survey Aug. 1 hoping to learn more about what needs LGBT Coloradans have when it comes to staying well. The group’s first survey was conducted in 2010 and found better health care was one of top three priorities from respondents.

“We’re attempting to understand the full range of people’s health care experiences,” said One Colorado Executive Director Brad Clark.

Other priorities included relationship recognition and safe schools. Nearly 5,000 people participated in the online survey, even before the organization had any name recognition or infrastructure.

The survey follows months of anecdotal research, Clark said. One Colorado has hosted several group meetings across the state and demographics. The organization heard from different communities, people of color and transgender folks.

“Each group has unique issues,” Clark said. “We heard transgender individuals lack significant health care services.”
Same-sex couples fear their partners can’t make crucial decisions for each other or their children, he said.

After dissecting the information, the organization hopes to figure out what policy changes in the public, private and nonprofit sector need to be made.

Clark said little changes like changing policy language could create dramatic shifts and open new opportunities for both businesses and potential clients.

The survey was developed by One Colorado’s steering committee and implemented by Simon Analytics, the same organization that administered the first survey.

Take the survey at http://ow.lyl5UzP8