Ethical and Policy Factors in Care Coordination

Thank you for having me here today to discuss some important ethical and policy issues related to care coordination for LGBTQ+ veterans, which is the primary purpose of this presentation. As a veteran care coordinator at the local VA, I advocate for veterans and help ensure they receive equitable, high-quality care. In this role, I aim to address the various needs of veterans from all backgrounds. Specifically, I will provide an overview of how standards like the nursing code of ethics and relevant laws and directives guide my advocacy work for this community. My goal is to shed light on the intricacies of navigating policies while upholding principles of inclusion, respect, and patient-centered support for all veterans under our care. Through examining this intersection of practical and value-based aspects of the coordination process, I aim to illustrate both the opportunities and continuing areas for improvement in fulfilling our obligation to serve every veteran’s diverse needs.

Governmental Policies Affecting Coordination Care

These key policies aim to increase equitable access and protect veteran communities. The Affordable Care Act bans discrimination in health programs, while the Mental Health Parity Act promotes equal coverage for mental health care. HIPAA also guards (Edemekong et al., 2022). However, lack of training and bureaucratic hurdles still hinder some from receiving culturally competent, rights-respecting care. However, as a coordinator, I ensure veterans understand legal protections to empower open discussions on needs. I advocate for addressing unmet needs through improved education, streamlined systems, and partnerships, delivering a coordinated continuum respecting privacy yet removing financial and social barriers. Close monitoring of at-risk groups informs strategies supporting well-being, like expanded community programming upholding non-discrimination and mental healthcare standards. This collaborative approach strengthens policies’ intended outcomes of barrier reduction and maintained healthcare access.

Examples of Policies Affecting LGBTQ+ Veterans

These policies aim to support veterans but can unintentionally cause barriers or privacy issues for LGBTQ+ individuals. VA directive 2013-003 extended benefits to same-sex spouses, though it only recognizes legal marriages and does not resolve all benefit gaps. The Veteran ID card law allowing preferred names and genders risks outing some transgender veterans. Walter et al. (2023) noted that while promoting wellness, the national veterans sports program historically lacked fully inclusive facilities and programming. Therefore, as a coordinator, I help alleviate challenges from these policies. I assist veterans in applying for supplementary services to remedy benefit incongruencies. I also discuss privacy concerns surrounding IDs to build trust. I recommend sensitivity improvements for the sports program, ensuring all veterans feel welcome to participate.