Vivent Health Earns “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” Designation from Human Rights Campaign

Vivent Health joins 495 nationwide health care providers earning the designation.

Today, Vivent Health announced their “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 13th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Vivent Health is proud to be one of a record 765 health care facilities that actively participated in the HEI 2020 survey, with the HRC Foundation proactively researching key policies at 1,000 additional non-participating hospitals.

The 13th edition of the HEI assesses health providers on four criteria: Non-Discrimination and Staff Training, Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and Patient and Community Engagement. In the 2020 report, Vivent Health is recognized as one of an impressive 495 facilities earning HRC’s “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader” designation, after receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100. Another 193 facilities earned the “Top Performer” designation for scoring from 80 to 95 points. With 90% of participating facilities scoring 80 points or more, health care facilities are demonstrating concretely that they are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ care.

“From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the horrific incidents of racial violence targeting the Black community, the events of the past year have brought about so much pain and uncertainty. Yet, even during this moment of profound unrest, we are seeing more of our humanity and resilience come to life,” said Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President. “The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients. In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities.”

The remarkable progress reflected in the 2020 HEI includes:

• 92% of participants met the HEI’s training requirements, completing more than 150,000 hours of staff training in LGBTQ patient-centered care;
• 99% of HEI participants documented that they include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their patient non-discrimination policy and employment discrimination policy;
• 53% of HEI participants indicated that their facility has a policy or policies that specifically outline procedures and practices aimed at eliminating bias and insensitivity, and ensuring appropriate, welcoming interactions with transgender patients;
• HEI participating health care facilities are nearly on par with the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) participants as 80% have at least one health care plan that offered this benefit. The latest CEI noted 85% of participants having such benefits.

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign recognizes the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion and for their courageous fight against COVID-19 and their commitment to addressing racism and injustice.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is an education arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.