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About the HEI 2024
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation developed the Healthcare Equality Index to meet a deep and urgent need on the part of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans: the need for equitable, knowledgeable, sensitive and welcoming health care, free from discrimination.
Moving LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Forward
In its 16th edition, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI 2024 evaluates nearly 2,400 healthcare facilities nationwide.
A record 1065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey.
In the HEI 2024, 384 healthcare facilities achieved the top score of 100 and earned the coveted "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" designation.
Another 462 facilities earned the designation of "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer."
The HEI 2024 implements four core objectives which are reflected in its criteria:
- Ensure foundational protection for patients, visitors and staff in patient and staff policies and provide cultural competency training on LGBTQ+ inclusion
- Demonstrate progress toward inclusion on LGBTQ+ patient care and support
- Cultivate an inclusive workforce by providing LGBTQ+ inclusive employee support and benefits
- Demonstrate public commitment to the LGBTQ+ community
Why Participate in the HEI?
Healthcare Facilities participate in the HEI so they can:
- Learn best practices for LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion
- Provide patient-centered care to a long-overlooked group
- Enhance patient satisfaction ratings
- Take advantage of free online, on-demand staff training from expert sources that includes CME/CEU credits
- Ensure compliance with legal, CMS and The Joint Commission requirements
- Enjoy recognition for commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity from the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization
In addition to being a valuable tool and resource for healthcare facilities, the HEI is used by LGBTQ+ patients and their loved ones to find facilities that provide equitable and inclusive care. The list of LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders is published in the HEI report and the ratings for each participating facility are available on our website and promoted to HRC’s more than 3 million supporters.
Consumers can easily search our online database or our interactive map to see how facilities near them rate — giving patients the ability to choose where they would like to receive care in their time of need. See more information by navigating to the HEI webpage on HRC.org.
