May 13, 2024
One of 384 healthcare facilities nationwide earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation
Buffalo, NY — Evergreen Health recently announced they have once again been recognized with the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.
“We celebrate the advances LGBTQ+ communities have made towards health equity and proudly provide unconditional care to help patients reach their health and life goals, while raising awareness of the health disparities they continue to face,” said Ray Ganoe, president and CEO, Evergreen Health.
Key highlights from the report include how organizations, including Evergreen Health, are working to reduce health disparities that specifically include LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns. It also highlights additional services and offerings designated organizations have such as an officially recognized LGBTQ+ employee resource group, and active involvement and support for local LGBTQ+ events and initiatives.
Evergreen Health offers affirming primary and specialty care, trans and gender affirming care, mental health care, substance use services, supportive services and more. Evergreen affiliate, the Pride Center of Western New York, also offers a variety of services and programs for the LGBTQ+ community.
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.