Report Shows Healthcare Industry Lags in Addressing Needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

by HRC Staff

Transgender community especially vulnerable to discrimination, says report issued by Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

Washington - The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, the nation's largest association of LGBT healthcare professionals, today released the third annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a national report that sets benchmarks and highlights best practices in healthcare facility policies for LGBT Americans. The release coincides with the annual observance of National Hospital Week. To view the report, visit: www.hrc.org/HEI.

"While many facilities are leading the way in fairness for LGBT patients and their families, on the whole, the healthcare industry is failing to adequately address the needs of our community," said Human Rights Campaign Foundation President Joe Solmonese. "But tools like the HEI can turn this trend around. By helping to remove barriers and create truly welcoming healthcare environments, we can build a stronger, healthier community."

A key finding in the 2009 report is the dramatic disparity between the number of patient non-discrimination policies inclusive of sexual orientation and those inclusive of gender identity. Less than seven percent of participating facilities protect patients from discrimination based on gender identity, while nearly three-quarters of participants provide these protections based on sexual orientation. This finding is symptomatic of the healthcare discrimination faced by transgender Americans every day, from the explicit denial of healthcare services to insensitive remarks by medical staff.

"Tragically, the importance of protecting transgender patients and their families from healthcare discrimination is made clear to us time and time again when we hear stories of discrimination," said transgender health advocate and HEI Advisory Council Member Dr. Rebecca Allison, a cardiologist practicing in Arizona. "As healthcare providers, we have the responsibility to ensure that all of our patients are given the culturally competent care they need and the respect they deserve. The policies and practices highlighted by the HEI provide a starting point for ensuring transgender competence."

Ten of the 166 participants answered "yes" to each of the survey's main criterion which applied to them, thereby establishing a set of model policies that will serve the entire healthcare industry. The participation of all facilities is appreciated and seen as indicative of a commitment to furthering healthcare equality for LGBT patients and employees.

"We believe the growing level of participation we're seeing by hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country reflects a genuine interest in the healthcare industry to better understand and address the specific needs of LGBT patients." said Jason Schneider, MD, President of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. "We're encouraged by this level of participation, and believe that the HEI is moving the healthcare industry toward policies, standards, and training that will ensure equal treatment for the LGBT community."

"We at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston are thrilled to have participated in the HEI survey in 2009, and we vigorously embrace the commitment to inclusion and diversity in healthcare that it embodies," said Dr. Michael Gustafson, BWH's senior vice president for Clinical Excellence. "And while we are proud of our perfect HEI score, we are equally gratified that the process of self-assessment has stimulated significant new quality improvement activity to further bolster our care policies and practices for both LGBT patients and our LGBT staff."

The report is based on responses to an online survey, conducted October through December 2008, addressing patient non-discrimination and visitation policies cultural competency training recognition of legal documents between same-sex partners and the protection of LGBT employees through fair employment policies. The responses in the HEI 2009 report represent the policies of 166 facilities from across the country, including 93 hospitals and 73 clinics.

"We thank the participating facilities for their willingness to review their policies affecting the LGBT community, and laud them for the remarkable work they've already done," said Solmonese.

In addition to the report, the HRC Foundation is releasing a new resource for healthcare lawyers and administrators entitled, "Breaking Down Barriers: An Administrator's Guide to State Law & Best Policy Practice for LGBT Healthcare Access." Included in the document is an explanation of the issues most relevant to the equal treatment of the LGBT community, including hospital visitation access and medical decision-making rights. The document provides model policies and best practice recommendations, as well as a review of the hospital policies submitted by HEI participants and research into relevant state healthcare law. The document is available for download: http://www.hrc.org/issues/12668.htm.

Read speaker transcripts from the Healthcare Equality Index 2009 conference call on May 12, 2009.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association has been working since 1981 to ensure equality in healthcare for LGBT patients and healthcare providers, through advocacy, education, research and patient referrals.

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