FHCSD Earns “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” Designation In HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index
March 27, 2018 – SAN DIEGO, Calif., Family Health Centers of San Diego received their “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 11th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released today. Other awardees of the “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” were Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center, UC San Diego Health System and VA San Diego Healthcare System.
A record 626 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2018 survey, with HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at more than 900 additional non-participating hospitals. Of those included in the HEI, 418 earned an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
FHCSD CEO, Fran Butler-Cohen said, “Any opportunity to invite external validation of our programs and services has always been embraced by Family Health Centers of San Diego. We are proud to be among other select organizations to receive the Healthcare Equality Leader designation. This recognition is not only for our leadership status in providing care to the members of the LGBTQ community, but serves as a reminder of our organization’s commitment to employment practices that honor diversity.”
“With some of our biggest battles still ahead of us, it is crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The 626 participants in this year’s HEI continue this march in partnership with the LGBTQ community, and we commend them for their leadership. For over a decade, the HEI has been the roadmap to closing the gap in ensuring equal care to LGBTQ patients and their families, and we urge every healthcare facility to join us in this continuing effort to provide inclusive care to all.”
The 11th edition of the HEI marks the second year that participants are given a numerical score based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. HEI participants are given scores in four criteria: foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies and LGBTQ Patient and Community Engagement. Participants that receive the maximum score in each section earn the coveted status of “2018 LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.”
In the 2018 report, an impressive 418 facilities earned HRC’s “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation with a score of 100. Another 95 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 82 percent of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, healthcare facilities are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.
Of the hospitals that did not participate in the HEI but were scored based on research, only 63 percent have patient non-discrimination policies that include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” and only 53 percent were found to have an LGBTQ-inclusive employment non-discrimination policy. The equal visitation policy, at 93 percent, is the only one that comes close to matching the rate of the participating facilities.
About Family Health Centers of San Diego
Family Health Centers of San Diego has been an integral part of San Diego County’s health care safety net for almost five decades and is proud to be one of the largest, private, nonprofit networks of community clinics in the nation. FHCSD’s mission is to provide affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons. More information is available at www.fhcsd.org.
About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
###
