LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department’s Community Health Centers recently participated in the Healthcare Equality Index survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) and received the top designation for the second year in a row. The Ingham Community Health Centers is one of just 418 organizations nationwide to receive the Leader status.

Only five other healthcare providers in Michigan received the coveted status. Ingham Community Health Centers is the only community health center in Michigan to obtain this top designation, which is based upon foundational elements of LGBTQ patient-centered care, LGBTQ patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement.

“We are committed to providing inclusive care to everyone in our community,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail. “We will continue to strive for ways to support LGBTQ patients and community members and address LGBTQ health disparities.”

The designation was reported in the 11th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), reflecting on a decade of progress in LGBTQ healthcare. The 11th edition of the HEI marks the second year that participants are given a numerical score based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. Participants that receive the maximum score in each section earn the coveted status of “2018 LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader.”

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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