HRC survey on top care for LGBTs includes nine Illinois facilities
Fri. July 12, 2013 7:23 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
advocate illinois masonic medical center
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The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) 2013 report, an annual survey published by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), has awarded nine Illinois facilities top marks for their policies and practices related to LGBT patients and their families.
Facilities awarded HEI leader recognition meet key criteria for equitable care, including non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.
The new report indicates that a record total of 718 healthcare facilities nationwide, including 121 veterans' medical centers, have explicitly pledged themselves to equal treatment for LGBT patients.
In Illinois, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center were recognized for the fifth year. Annually since 2009, both hospitals have been recognized as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality."
"We're proud to once again be recognized with such distinction by the HRC," said Marc Senesac, vice president of Human Resources for Advocate Illinois Masonic. "As we're located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the historic center of the city's LGBT community, we've had a long history of treating every patient, family member and associate with the dignity and compassion they deserve."
Rush CEO Dr. Larry Goodman said, "Being named a leader in health care equality is demonstrative of Rush's inclusive culture. It reflects our overall commitment to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and equal treatment for patients, visitors and employees from all the diverse groups that make up our Rush community."
Other Illinois facilities were, Howard Brown Health Center, VA Jesse Brown Medical Center, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, VA Illiana Health Care System, VA Edward Hines Jr. Hospital and VA Captain Hames A. Lowvell Federal Health Care Center.
"The country's healthcare facilities are leading figures in our nation's movement toward full equality and inclusion for LGBT Americans," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The Department of Veterans Affairs' participation in the HEI is another example of President Obama's unwavering commitment to those who put their lives on the line for the country they love, regardless of who they love."
Ninety-three percent of HEI 2013 participants explicitly prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and a record 87 percent ban discrimination against transgender patients. Additionally, 90 percent of respondents explicitly grant equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and same-sex parents. This represents a significant increase since the Department of Health and Human Services issued rules in 2011 requiring all hospitals that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding—nearly every hospital in America—to protect the visitation rights of LGBT people.
"No one should have to worry about receiving discriminatory healthcare," added Griffin. "We're very pleased to offer hospitals and clinics a comprehensive resource for equitable care, and we celebrate all of those who used the HEI 2013 to welcome LGBT patients, employees and families."
The HEI is funded in part by grants from Pfizer Inc. and PhRMA.
Read more about the HRC Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index 2013 at www.hrc.org/hei.
Facilities awarded HEI leader recognition meet key criteria for equitable care, including non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.
The new report indicates that a record total of 718 healthcare facilities nationwide, including 121 veterans' medical centers, have explicitly pledged themselves to equal treatment for LGBT patients.
In Illinois, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center were recognized for the fifth year. Annually since 2009, both hospitals have been recognized as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality."
"We're proud to once again be recognized with such distinction by the HRC," said Marc Senesac, vice president of Human Resources for Advocate Illinois Masonic. "As we're located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the historic center of the city's LGBT community, we've had a long history of treating every patient, family member and associate with the dignity and compassion they deserve."
Rush CEO Dr. Larry Goodman said, "Being named a leader in health care equality is demonstrative of Rush's inclusive culture. It reflects our overall commitment to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and equal treatment for patients, visitors and employees from all the diverse groups that make up our Rush community."
Other Illinois facilities were, Howard Brown Health Center, VA Jesse Brown Medical Center, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, VA Illiana Health Care System, VA Edward Hines Jr. Hospital and VA Captain Hames A. Lowvell Federal Health Care Center.
"The country's healthcare facilities are leading figures in our nation's movement toward full equality and inclusion for LGBT Americans," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The Department of Veterans Affairs' participation in the HEI is another example of President Obama's unwavering commitment to those who put their lives on the line for the country they love, regardless of who they love."
Ninety-three percent of HEI 2013 participants explicitly prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and a record 87 percent ban discrimination against transgender patients. Additionally, 90 percent of respondents explicitly grant equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and same-sex parents. This represents a significant increase since the Department of Health and Human Services issued rules in 2011 requiring all hospitals that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding—nearly every hospital in America—to protect the visitation rights of LGBT people.
"No one should have to worry about receiving discriminatory healthcare," added Griffin. "We're very pleased to offer hospitals and clinics a comprehensive resource for equitable care, and we celebrate all of those who used the HEI 2013 to welcome LGBT patients, employees and families."
The HEI is funded in part by grants from Pfizer Inc. and PhRMA.
Read more about the HRC Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index 2013 at www.hrc.org/hei.