The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) recognized 12 UCHealth hospitals with their “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Leader” designation for 2024.
“Our organization’s culture is one that values human connection, and we work hard to ensure all are treated with dignity and respect,” said David Mafe, UCHealth’s chief diversity officer and vice president of human resources. “This designation represents our dedication to providing exceptional care and support to our patients and staff.”
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.
A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
“LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones are looking for health care providers to offer and champion fully inclusive services, The Healthcare Equality Index is helping people find facilities where welcoming policies and practices are the standard,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “We know that LGBTQ+ people – especially our trans family – continue to face discrimination in the doctor’s office. No one should have to put their health on the backburner for fear of mistreatment in a healthcare facility or by their doctor.”
Key highlights from the report include:
- 36% of 1,065 total participants earned the designation “2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.”
- Targeted health disparities reduction plans: Encouragingly, 71% have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns.
- EHR SOGI data: Major increases are seen in the number of health care facilities collecting sexual orientation and gender identity-related data in their Electronic Health Records systems. Seven of the eight relevant data points had double-digit increases.
- Pronouns in electronic health records: The ability to collect and display a patient’s pronouns rose from 44% to 74%. This is an important tool to help prevent mis-gendering a patient.
- FMLA-equivalent benefits: 38% offer FMLA-equivalent benefits that allow employees to take family and medical leave to care for same-sex partners as well as the children of a same-sex partner, regardless of biological or adoptive status – this is up from 34% in 2022.
- Comprehensive benefits for domestic partners: 41% provide medical and comprehensive health benefits to domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees up from 34% in 2022. This is the first increase in this measure since the 2015 Obergefell decision on same-sex marriage.
- Employee resource groups: 72% have an officially recognized LGBTQ+ employee resource group.
- Community engagement and support: 92% took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+ related events or initiatives in their service area.
UCHealth hospitals have comprehensive non-discrimination and equal visitation policies in effect, patient self-identification tools available in My Health Connection, FMLA equivalent benefits for same sex partners and specialized training in place for leaders on LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.
“The HRC designation is a national benchmarking tool related to equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and staff and UCHealth is honored to be recognized as a leader in the state of Colorado,” said Mafe.