Optum
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Optum vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination, but has not publicly terminated business relationships based on views or beliefs. The company covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. Optum uses its corporate reputation and funds to advance LGBTQ organizations. It also uses its corporate reputation to support the Black Lives Matter movement. However, it does not seem to discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. For these reasons, Optum receives a Medium Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
UnitedHealth Group, Optum’s parent company received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1)(2). There are no known instances of Optum terminating business relationships because of political or religious beliefs.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Optum’s social responsibility is to “remove barriers and provide equal access to quality care” for local communities (1). Optum has partnered with religious health centers, including SSM Health, a Catholic non-profit (2). Optum’s charitable giving does not discriminate against religious organizations.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
UnitedHealth Group has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2). In 2021, Optum created an online program to inform providers on how to care for LGBTQ patients (3). Optum partners with OutCare, an LGBTQ organization to train the Optum call center staff to be able to better communicate with LGBTQ patients (4). Optum also started Pride365+ to educate all on the mental health challenges within the LGBTQ community (5)(6). Optum is a proponent of DEI policies and causes (7).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Optum donated $25,000 to the Trevor Project for LGBTQ advocacy (1).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Optum does not operate a PAC or make political contributions (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
July 19, 2023
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