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In this online database of healthcare facilities, there are six different types of facilities listed.
HEI 2026 Participants
There are 741 healthcare facilities that actively participated in the Healthcare Equality Index 2026 survey. All survey participants receive a score between 5 to 100 as determined by which HEI criteria they meet and how many LGBTQ+ policies and practices they have in place. Due to ongoing threats at the federal level, state restrictions, and political volatility, HEI 2026 participants could opt out of displaying their individual scorecards in the HRC Foundation’s online search directory. Those facilities who have opted into the search directory will have their scorecards display their overall score as well as how they scored in each criteria section of the survey. See below for our HEI 2026 survey methodology.
Healthcare facilities receiving this designation earned a top score of 100 points on the HEI 2026 survey. As an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader,” these facilities have received the highest score in each of the HEI criteria and demonstrated that they offer transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to their employees.
Healthcare facilities receiving this designation earned a score between 80 and 95 points and were required to receive full credit in Criteria 1 and at least partial credit in Criteria 2, 3, and 4. As “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer,” these facilities are going beyond the basics in adopting policies and practices for LGBTQ+ care.
Healthcare facilities receiving this designation have received full credit in Criteria 1. This designation, intended for new HEI participants, requires LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient, Visitation and Employment policies along with meeting the required staff training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.
Healthcare facilities that actively worked with the HRC Foundation to complete and submit a survey for the HEI 2026 and did meet the criteria or score requirements to earn one of the designations described above.
Non-scored Hospitals
Over 1,600 other hospitals are listed in the database because they were either researched or previously participated in the HEI survey. These hospitals do not receive a score, and their scorecard will only include information on whether they have the foundational policies outlined in Criteria Section 1 in place. These facilities will show a gray box with an “N/A” instead of the yellow box with an active score - be sure to click into their listing to review their Foundational policies.
Healthcare facilities that previously participated in the HEI survey, but did not submit a survey for the HEI 2026. These facilities will only show whether they have an LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient Non-Discrimination Policy, an Equal Visitation Policy and an LGBTQ+ inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Policy.
Healthcare facilities that we proactively researched for LGBTQ+ inclusion in foundational policies (i.e. an LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient Non-Discrimination Policy, an Equal Visitation Policy and an LGBTQ+ inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Policy). See below for our research methodology.
The Transgender Healthcare Access Alert means that access to medical care for transgender people (also known as gender-affirming care) is under severe threat nationwide. It reflects the broader legal and political environment affecting transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive patients during the HEI 2026 survey cycle, including state bans, federal actions, investigations, funding threats, and other pressures on healthcare providers.
The alert is included to help LGBTQ+ patients, parents, families, and communities understand that gender-affirming care may be limited, changing, or difficult to access. While the alert appears for all healthcare facilities listed in the HEI, it does not necessarily indicate whether or not a specific facility currently provides gender-affirming care. Because access can change quickly, patients and families should contact facilities directly to confirm what services are available
The HEI 2026 Report assessed 741 healthcare facilities that actively participated in the Healthcare Equality Index survey. Throughout the open survey period, HRC Foundation Research and Education Program staff provided additional assistance and advice to help facility representatives complete the survey. Once submitted, HRC Foundation staff reviewed and verified documentation for appropriate language and consistency with the required criteria. If any criteria were not met, the HRC Foundation provided healthcare facilities the opportunity to update the deficiencies and submit the required additional information necessary to meet the criteria.
Hospitals researched were selected based on a variety of criteria related to size, location and the population served by the hospital.
We exhaustively searched these facilities’ public websites for inclusive policies, using search terms such as “non-discrimination,” “visitation,” “EEO,” “bill of rights,” “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” HRC Foundation staff searched these facilities’ websites much like an internet-savvy potential patient, visitor or applicant would to learn whether a hospital had: an LGBTQ+ inclusive patient non-discrimination policy, an equal visitation policy, an LGBTQ+ inclusive employment non-discrimination policy.
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