National rights group honors RBJ Health Center

Austin Public Health’s Rebekah Baines Johnson Health Center, at 15 Waller Street, has been named a “Top Performer” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Healthcare Equality Index. The acknowledgment is noteworthy as, according to a press release, “only 22% of HEI participating facilities received the Top Performer designation” this year. HEI scores facilities based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. High scores were given to the RBJ Health Center for “patient non-discrimination, employment non-discrimination, training in LGBTQ patient-centered care, employee benefits and policies and transgender-inclusive health insurance.” The RBJ Health Center’s sexual health clinic provides testing and treatment for STIs as well as tuberculosis screening. Stephanie Hayden, the director of Austin Public Health, said in the press release, “At Austin Public Health our core purpose is to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of our community. This Healthcare Equality Index recognition shows the success we have in meeting our mission and providing inclusive care for all.”