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More than four dozen New Jersey hospitals are being recognized for their commitment to equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Now in its 16th year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HCI) is considered the leading national benchmarking tool for inclusive practices in health care facilities.
As part of its review, HRC looks at several criteria, including patient non-discrimination, employee non-discrimination and staff training in LGBTQ+ culturally competent care.
Of the record 1,065 facilities nationwide participating in this year’s scoring process, 384 received a top score of 100 and earned the designation “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.”
The second highest status – “LGBTQ+ High Performer” – was granted to 462 facilities, according to the index.
HRC is the largest LGBTQ+ political lobbying organization in the U.S.
Other highlights from the 2024 Healthcare Equality Index include:
- 71% of facilities have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity and linguistic concerns.
- Major increases in number of facilities collecting sexual orientation and gender identity-related data in their electronic health record.
- The ability to collect and display a patient’s pronouns in electronic health records rose from 44% to 74%.
- 38% of facilities 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. That’s up from 34% in 2022.
- 41% provide medical and comprehensive health benefits to domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees up from 34% in 2022.
The analysis also found that 72% of facilities have an officially recognized LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Additionally, 92% took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+ related events or initiatives in their service area.
Across all industries:
Newsweek recently unveiled its America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ 2024 ranking, with 10 companies from New Jersey earning a spot. Click here to see the list.
HRC President Kelley Robinson commented, “As anti-LGBTQ+ extremists look to strip away healthcare access at every turn, LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones are looking for healthcare 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.”
“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,” Robinson said.
As of this year’s HEI, 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.
How New Jersey fared
At Hackensack Meridian Health, 13 of the network’s 18 hospitals received a “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
Robert Garrett, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health, said, “It is an honor to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for our work at every hospital in the network, and we will continue to pursue our mission of providing high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care to all the patients and communities we serve.”
Englewood Health was named as an “Equality Builder,” which is a designation for facilities that are early in their inclusion journey and demonstrated that they have key foundational policies in place.
Warren Geller, president and chief executive officer of Englewood Health, commented, “We are deeply honored to receive the Equality Builder designation and to be recognized for our efforts in fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and staff. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to compassionate, comprehensive healthcare that acknowledges and addresses the specific needs of the diverse communities we serve.”
Dr. Anita Ramsetty, director of health equity at Englewood Health, added, “We are committed to not just meeting but exceeding the standards for LGBTQ+ inclusion. This recognition from the HRC Foundation is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone who steps through our doors,”
Ongoing commitments
Valley Health System said it is honored to receive designation as an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer.”
Raffaele Bernardo, medical director of LGBTQ+ services for Valley, said the recognition “reinforces our commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ health equity and eliminating the disparities that persist in healthcare.”
“Although the HEI designation helps to reflect Valley’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ people, there is much more work to be done. This recognition helps to motivate us to continue advocating for greater health equity and access to care for the LGBTQ+ community,” Bernardo said.
AtlantiCare’s 11th “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation reflects the system’s commitment to providing inclusive and affirming care for all members of our community, said Christian Ragland, assistant vice president diversity equity and inclusion, AtlantiCare.
“In a time when LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and barriers to healthcare access, AtlantiCare is honored to be recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation,” said Ragland, adding, “We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, free from judgment or discrimination, and we will continue to advocate for the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.”
“This is the fourth year that our Medical Center has earned this important recognition, and I am incredibly proud of the work we do for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Deborah Visconi, president and CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Earning the top score in the HEI Index validates our commitment to providing access to high quality, equitable, and compassionate care to the LGBTQ+ community through our LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Center. We are dedicated to creating an environment where the community feels safe, supported, and respected so they seek out the care they need without delay.”
New Jersey rankings
Leader
- AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (City Campus)
- AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (Mainland Campus)
- Bayshore Medical Center
- Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
- Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
- Children’s Specialized Hospital – New Brunswick
- Clara Maas Medical Center
- Community Medical Center
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
- Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic
- Hackensack University Medical Center
- Jersey City Medical Center
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center
- JFK Medical Center
- Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch Campus)
- Mountainside Medical Center
- NewarkBeth Israel Medical Center
- Ocean University Medical Center
- Old Bridge Medical Center
- Palisades Medical Center
- Pascack Valley Medical Center
- Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center
- Princeton University – University Health Services
- Raritan Bay Medical Center
- Riverview Medical Center
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – Rahway
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – Somerset
- RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
- Southern Ocean Medical Center
- The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH
- University Hospital
High performer
- Cooper University Hospital
- Hunterdon Medical Center
- Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital
- Jefferson Stratford Hospital
- Jefferson Washington Township Hospital
- The Valley Hospital
- Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell
- Capital Health Regional Medical Center
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey
Builder
- VA New Jersey Health Care System
- Englewood Health
According to the index, the following hospitals participated but did not receive a designation:
- Chilton Medical Center
- Goryeb Children’s Hospital
- Hackettstown Medical Center
- Morristown Medical Center
- Newton Medical Center
- Overlook Medical Center
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:45 p.m. ET June 5, 2024, to include a statement from Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.
