Lgbtq+ veteran care | veterans affairs

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THE HEALTH CARE WE PROVIDE AT THE VA SPOKANE  We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of LGBTQ+ Veterans. “LGBTQ+” refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities.


The “+” sign captures identities beyond LGBTQ. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services


like: * Comprehensive health care, which includes preventive and mental health care. * Testing, counseling, and care for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, including PEP (post-exposure


prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV. * Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP). * Military Sexual Trauma (MST) screening and treatment. * Whole


Health. * Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP). * Fertility and Family-Building Services. * Cancer Screening. POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO KNOW The care coordinator can help you


get started with care or with navigating any of these issues. VISITATION: A same-sex partner, family member, friend, or other individual can be present with the patient for emotional


support during the patient's stay. DEFINITION OF FAMILY: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic


partners, different-sex and same-sex significant others. ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: Veterans may designate any person as a decision-maker for care if they won't be unable to make these


decisions themselves. This includes same-sex partners. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically related. DOCUMENTATION IN MEDICAL RECORDS: VA


Spokane maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation and sexual behavior, just like any other private health information. CHANGING NAME OR SEX IN RECORDS: Your name


in your medical record will reflect your legal name. The sex in your medical record should reflect your legal sex. You have the right to request that your name and sex are updated as


appropriate. There are established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer. Please visit this link to learn more about VA LGBTQ+ Policies.