NEW ORLEANS – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation announced the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) as a “Leader in LGBTQ Health Care Equality,” one of only two agencies in the state of Louisiana.
The designation was reported in the 10th edition of the “Healthcare Equality Index,” (HEI) reflecting on a decade of progress in LGBTQ health care, Department of Veterans Affairs reps said.
“Putting our Veterans at the center of everything we do at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System is how we provide the world-class health care that all of our Veterans earn and deserve,” said SLVHCS Medical Center Director Fernando O. Rivera, FACHE. “When it comes to our LGBTQ community, it is important as health care professionals that we are sensitive, aware and understand the unique health care needs of these patients and by providing an inclusive health care environment, our Veterans will have confidence and increased satisfaction with their care.”
The 10th edition of the HEI implements new criteria that raises the bar on what it takes to earn HRC’s “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” designation. For the first time ever, HEI participants are given scores in four criteria that represent how many policies and best practices from each section they have implemented: foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. Participants that receive the maximum score in each section for a total score of 100 points earn the coveted status of “2017 Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.”
