Desert Regional Medical Center earns “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” Designation in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index

Desert Regional Medical Center one of 384 healthcare facilities nationwide earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation

Today, Desert Regional Medical Center announced their “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), released today.

To qualify for Leader status, Desert Regional met a rigorous set of standards that evaluate a hospital’s policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Desert Regional received the top score of 100 points on the survey.

“Desert Regional has been deeply committed to the LGBTQ+ community for a very long time, and it is rewarding to see our efforts once again recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation,” said Michele Finney, CEO of Desert Regional Medical Center and Desert Care Network. “We take pride in providing healthcare to everyone – regardless of their background or ability to pay. We work hard to go beyond the basics -- as a hospital and as a major employer – supporting the people and organizations in our community that advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Desert Regional was one of only 384 facilities nationwide to receive the top score of 100 that earns the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process this year.

“The Healthcare Equality Index is helping people find facilities where welcoming policies and practices are the standard,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “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.” 

Key highlights from the HEI report include:

• 36% of 1,065 total participants earned the designation “2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader.”
• Targeted Health Disparities Reduction Plans: Encouragingly, 71% have an official plan for reducing health disparities that specifically includes LGBTQ+ patients in addition to race, ethnicity, and linguistic concerns.
• Bias Elimination and Welcoming Interactions: Just over half (53%) have a policy or policies that specifically outline procedures and practices aimed at eliminating bias and insensitivity, and ensuring appropriate, welcoming interactions with transgender patients.
• EHR SOGI Data: Major increases are seen in the number of healthcare facilities collecting sexual orientation and gender identity-related data in their Electronic Health Records systems. Seven of the eight relevant data points had double-digit increases.
• Pronouns in Electronic Health Records: The ability to collect and display a patient’s pronouns rose from 44% to 74%. This is an important tool to help prevent misgendering a patient.
• FMLA-Equivalent Benefits:38% 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 – this is up from 34% in 2022.
• Comprehensive Benefits for Domestic Partners: 41% provide medical and comprehensive health benefits to domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees up from 34% in 2022. This is the first increase in this measure since the 2015 Obergefell decision on same-sex marriage.
• Community Engagement and Support: 92% took part in or supported one or more LGBTQ+ related events or initiatives in their service area.