Healthcare Equality Index: How to Participate
The Healthcare Equality Index measures how equitably hospitals in the United States treat their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients and employees. The index focuses on five main policy categories: patient non-discrimination; hospital visitation; decision making; cultural competence training; and employee services and benefits.
Who is rated?
Currently all U.S. hospitals are eligible to participate in the HEI. In the future, the project will expand to include long-term care, assisted living, hospice, community health clinics and other branches of the healthcare industry as appropriate.How do hospitals participate?
Participating hospitals submitted their responses through a web-based survey. Hospitals 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 provided additional assistance and advice throughout the process.How do I get a hospital rated?
- Hospital Representatives: If you work at a hospital 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 hospital'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.
