This month, Care1st Health Plan Arizona signed the UNITY Pledge in support of fully inclusive non-discrimination policies in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations for all Arizonans, including gay and transgender people.

Care1st joins over 2,000 businesses and organizations including GoDaddy, Fry’s Food Stores, Yelp, Uber, Professional Firefighters of Arizona, PetSmart and Coca-Cola in supporting a fully inclusive Arizona.

Care1st Health Plan Arizona provides health care to those enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), KidsCare as well as ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan, in Maricopa and Pima Counties.

Care1st Health Plan Arizona also and utilizes progressive public-private partnerships to advance collaborative efforts that build healthier communities, and ultimately, achieve excellence in health outcomes and customer satisfaction for members, providers and employees.

As part of its core values, Care1st continuously strives to foster a culture of equality and diversity both in and out of the office.

“Care1st Health Plan Arizona supports equality not only in the workplace, but in the community at large,” said Scott Cummings, chief administrative officer of Care1st Health Plan Arizona. “As a company, we are dedicated to ensuring that our employees reflect the diverse communities we serve in order to provide the highest level of cultural competency and customer service. That means we do not condone discrimination of any kind. We believe in standing together, not apart.”

Currently, five municipalities have ordinances that ban discrimination; however, Arizona has no statewide laws that protect gay and transgender individuals from being fired based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, or discriminated against in housing and public accommodations.

Created by ONE Community, a member-based coalition of LGBT and allied individuals and businesses; the UNITY Pledge is a public declaration to support and advance workplace equality and non-discrimination policies in housing and public accommodations for LGBT individuals and their allies in Arizona.

“Care1st Health Plan Arizona understands that there is no room for discrimination in the healthcare industry, and no room for discrimination in Arizona,” said Angela Hughey, president of ONE Community. “We thank Care1st for signing the UNITY Pledge and being open for business to everyone.”