Kaiser Permanente Recognized as a 'Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality' by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

OAKLAND, Calif., March 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- All 38 of Kaiser Permanente's hospitals have been recognized as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. Kaiser Permanente has earned "Top Performer" or "Leader" status each year since 2010.

The honor is given to facilities that meet LGBT-inclusive benchmarks that are part of the HRC Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index, a unique annual survey that encourages equal care for LGBT Americans by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBT patients, visitors and employees.

Kaiser Permanente earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the high-quality health care and respect they deserve.

"This recognition from the Human Rights Campaign is an affirmation of the transformative work Kaiser Permanente continues to champion in pursuit of equity and inclusion for all, and in particular for our LGBT employees, members, patients and their families," said Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS, senior vice president and chief Diversity and Inclusion officer for Kaiser Permanente. "We remain steadfast in our resolve to create equitable health improvements in the lives of all people and communities we are so privileged to serve."

Kaiser Permanente hospitals are among a select group of 496 health care facilities nationwide to be named "Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality." Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for facility staff members.

"Despite all the progress we've made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming health care. Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality are helping to change that, and, in the process, making the lives of LGBT patients and their families better each and every day," said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. "LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates Kaiser Permanente for its work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients."

"Kaiser Permanente is deeply honored that the Human Rights Campaign continues to recognize our organization's commitment to achieve health care equality, year after year," said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, senior vice president for Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy. "We are devoted to providing exemplary and personalized care for all of our members, and we encourage other health systems to join us in this ongoing journey."

The Healthcare Equality Index offers health care facilities unique and powerful resources designed to help provide equal care to a long-overlooked group of patients, as well as assistance in complying with new regulatory requirements and access to high-quality staff training.

Kaiser Permanente has participated in the HEI since 2008 and has consistently moved up in the rankings, resulting in a perfect score for 2010 and each year thereafter. Additionally, for the past decade, Kaiser Permanente has received a top score on the Human Rights Campaign's annual Corporate Equality Index for our commitment to creating policies on diversity and inclusion, and providing training and benefits to create a fair and equal workplace.

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2016, or to download a free copy of the report, visit hrc.org/hei.

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, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 10 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.

Contact: Marc Brown
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