The report includes findings from an online survey administered annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Health & Aging Program to healthcare facilities about their treatment of members of the LGBT community. This year, 718 healthcare facilities participated in the report — a 153 percent increase from 2012. And, for the first time, all 50 states were represented. However, five states had only one facility participate, indicating a potential for significant growth in facility participation.
This year also saw a nearly 200 percent increase in the number of facilities designated a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” with 464 facilities meeting the four criteria:
• An LGBT-inclusive patient non-discrimination policy
• An LGBT-inclusive equal visitation policy
• An LGBT-inclusive employment non-discrimination policy
• Staff training in LGBT patient-centered care
However, there is room for improvement in recognizing gender identity-related discrimination in addition to sexual orientation-related discrimination, according to the report. While 93 percent of respondents included “sexual orientation” in their patient non-discrimination policies, only 87 percent include “gender identity.” Similarly, 96 percent of respondents include “sexual orientation” in their employment non-discrimination policies, while only 85 percent include “gender identity.”
More Articles on Healthcare Equality:
University of Michigan Health System Names Dr. Carmen Green First Associate VP for Health Equity
A National Call to Action to Bring LGBT Health Disparities Out of the Closet!
AHA Webinar Discusses Hospital Board Diversity
