Kaiser Permanente Recognized as a Leader in LGBT Health Care Equality

All 38 hospitals achieved leadership status in the Human Rights Campaign's Health Equity Index

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Oct 20, 2014, 12:00 ET

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Kaiser Permanente has been recognized as a leader in LGBT health care equality in the Healthcare Equality Index 2014 report, an annual survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization. All 38 of Kaiser Permanente's hospitals across the country submitted the Health Equity Index survey, and each achieved leadership status for its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families.

In 2010, Kaiser Permanente was the first health care provider and hospital system that the Human Rights Campaign designated as a leader in LGBT health care equality. For the past five years, Kaiser Permanente has consistently achieved leader status for all of its hospitals.

"Kaiser Permanente's participation and leadership status in the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index is one way we demonstrate our commitment to diversity, inclusion and our vision of improving the health of our members and the diverse communities we serve," said Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS, senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Kaiser Permanente. "We are committed to our continuous journey of learning how to best deliver culturally responsive and respectful care and promote LGBT health equity."

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation developed the Healthcare Equality Index to meet an urgent need on the part of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans for equitable, knowledgeable, sensitive and welcoming health care, free of discrimination based on LGBT status.

"It is a great honor for Kaiser Permanente to achieve leadership status in health care equality for the fifth year in a row," said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, senior vice president for Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy. "This status is a testament to our commitment to providing exemplary and personalized care for all of our members."

About The Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information please visit www.hrc.org.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 9.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

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For More Information
Caitlin Cobb, (510) 271-5955, [email protected]

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente