UNC Medical Center and UNC REX Recognized as LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leaders
Hospitals named to 2019 list for equitable treatment of patients, visitors and employees
CHAPEL HILL AND RALEIGH, N.C. – Aug. 16, 2019
UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh have been named to a list of healthcare facilities recognized as leaders in providing equitable and inclusive care for LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.
The 2019 Healthcare Equality Index, or HEI, scores healthcare facilities across the country on policies and practices dedicated to equitable treatment and inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer patients and their families.
UNC REX received a score of 100 and is designated as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.” UNC Hospitals received a score of 95 and is designated as a “Top Performer.” The HEI 2019 scoring criteria included a higher benchmark, requiring participating facilities to demonstrate that they offered at least one company-wide health insurance plan that affirmatively provides transgender-inclusive coverage in order to earn the top score of 100.
“The mission of UNC Health Care is to provide care for all North Carolinians, and we take that mission very seriously,” said Dr. Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health Care. “We are proud of our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion at all of our hospitals, clinics and physician practices across the state.”
HEI participants are assessed on four criteria: LGBTQ Patient-Centered Care, LGBTQ Patient Services and Support, Employee Benefits and Policies, and LGBTQ Patient and Community Engagement.
The index is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational 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.
Ratings for every participating healthcare facility are published in an annual HEI report and are available on the HRC website, allowing consumers to easily search the HEI database or an interactive map.
