Hines VA Hospital Named LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital received an evaluation of 95 out of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer" in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).
The HEI index is considered among the nation's foremost benchmarking surveys of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and staff. “LGBTQ+ Veterans face increased stressors, health risks, and unique challenges in accessing health care as a result of stigma, stress, and discrimination," said Lorry Luscri, Hines VA LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator. “VA serves all who served, and these Veterans deserve the best quality care that is provided in an affirming and welcoming environment."
According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the HEI evaluates and scores healthcare facilities using four central pillars: Foundational Policies and Training in LGBTQ+ Patient-Centered Care; LGBTQ+ Patient Services and Support; Employee Benefits and Policies; Patient and Community Engagement.
A record 906 healthcare facilities participated in the 2022 HEI survey. Hines VA joins 251 facilities to earn the “Top Performer" designation with scores between 80 to 95 points and at least partial credit in each section. Hines VA received a perfect score in all categories, except “Responsible Citizenship," of which the facility was not evaluated, according to the HRC Foundation.
“While so many Transgender women are so afraid of being themselves in the light of normal day to day living, Transgender Veterans have nearly all of the support that they might need to transition to and then live as women. For us, that is everything that makes life worth living," said Marilu Fanning, a Navy Veteran when asked about her experience as a Hines VA LGBTQ+ Veteran.
The Chicago-area's, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center were also named 2022 HEI Index Top Performers.
To learn more about Hines VA's LGBTQ+ Veteran care, visit: www.va.gov/hines-health-care/health-services/lgbtq-veteran-care