The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System announced today that they achieved the "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer" designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).
The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC's Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released today. A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 462 nationally received the "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer" designation.
"We are proud to be recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer," said Scott R. Isaacks, CEO and Director of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. "Our commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality care to all Veterans, regardless of their orientation, is unwavering. This designation reflects the dedication of our staff to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for every Veteran we serve."
This year's HEI comes as LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to be "treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider" in the last three years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation combined with a history of discrimination in healthcare settings has the potential to cause even more LGBTQ+ people to delay or avoid seeking healthcare, which makes the HEI even more salient for those looking to find LGBTQ+-inclusive care.
