Non Discrimination Policy
A crucial step in ensuring fair and equitable treatment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender patients is the implementation of a patient non-discrimination policy that includes both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in the health care organization’s Patient Bill of Rights.
Excerpt of American Medical Association Non-discrimination Policy:
Policy H-65.976
Nondiscriminatory Policy for the Health Care Needs of the Homosexual Population
Our AMA encourages physician practices, medical schools, hospitals, and clinics to broaden any nondiscriminatory statement made to patients, health care workers, or employees to include sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity in any nondiscrimination statement. (Res. 414, A-04)
As reported in the 2008 Healthcare Equality Index, 98% of participating hospitals (86 of 88 hospitals) stated that they include “sexual orientation” in their Patients’ Bill of Rights and/or non-discrimination policy. Only 66 percent of those hospitals had policies that included both gender identity or gender expression.
Resources:
GLMA's Non-Discrimination Guidelines for Hospitals (2008) [PDF] Sample Non-Discrimination Policy
This document includes a sample Patients' Bill of Rights statement as well as sample language for a hospital non-discrimination policy.