The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released the biennial 2026 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the industry standard benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity practices in the health care field. In an era where health care access in general, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and health care for transgender people specifically are under threat, the HEI remains a necessary and useful tool both for health care administrators and for individual patients.
CHOICES: Center for Reproductive Health is proud to be recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer. Even in the face of adversity, CHOICES remains committed to providing safe, equitable, and dignified healthcare to all people regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
“CHOICES has been an advocate for comprehensive reproductive healthcare since our founding, and that will always include showing up for our queer patients and staff,” said President & CEO, Jennifer Pepper. “We were founded by lesbians to fill a need for our community, and we will continue to listen and engage with queer folks to ensure we continue to grow and provide dignified care to all LGBTQIA+ people, even in the face of dangerous setbacks and pressure.”
The HEI helps healthcare facilities maintain and strengthen LGBTQ+-inclusive care even under extraordinary pressure. The report offers aggregate findings, benchmarks, and guidance for adaptation. The standard remains: every patient deserves safe, respectful, inclusive, dignified care. In the 2026 edition of the HEI, overall participation remained strong, despite a challenging moment for LGBTQ+ inclusive health care.
- Nearly 750 health care facilities completed the HEI survey
- Of these, 44% received the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation, and 46% earned High Performer status.
- In total, nearly 90% of all facilities surveyed achieved one of the top designations
- This year included 49 new participants, and 53 facilities improved their designation from prior years.
Read the full 2026 Healthcare Equality Index here. Visit this link to see the trans health care warning page.