Healthcare Equality Index: How to Participate
The Healthcare Equality Index measures how equitably healthcare facilities in the United States treat their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and employees. The index focuses on five main policy categories: patient non-discrimination; visitation; decision making; cultural competence training; and employment policies and benefits.
Who is rated?
Currently all U.S. healthcare facilities are eligible to participate in the HEI including hospitas, community health clinics, long-term care, assisted living, hospice and other branches of the healthcare industry.How do hospitals participate?
Participating facilities submit their responses through a web-based survey. Each year, healthcare administrators are sent invitations to participate in the survey in October and surveys are due in late December. Staff members from the HRC Foundation Family Project and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association provide additional assistance and advice throughout the process.
How do I get a hospital rated?
- Healthcare Facility Representatives: If you work at a healthcare facility in the U.S. and are authorized to represent your employer and its policies, please e-mail hei@hrc.org to participate.
- All Others: If you are not authorized to participate on a facility's behalf, please forward the appropriate contacts (typically Human Resources, Diversity, Staffing, Marketing or Communications professionals) with name, position, e-mail and mailing address to hei@hrc.org. We will make sure they receive an invitation to participate in the survey either in the current or approaching year. Please note that it is best for individuals internal to the organization to approach these contacts first, to educate them on the value of the HEI and to secure a commitment on their part to participate.
More Information:
- Healthcare Equality Index: Business Case for Participation
- Download Healthcare Equality Index reports [2007-2009]
- HEI Rating Criteria
