HealthPartners staff are developing an online tool that would allow teens to “control the level of healthcare information they would like to share with their guardians,” according to internal communications obtained by Alpha News.
“I am working on a project that will ultimately enable teens to create online accounts, and control the level of healthcare information they would like to share with their guardians,” Jamie Plouff said in an internal staff chat.
Her message, a screenshot of which was obtained by Alpha News, was shared in the company’s LGBTQ+ Colleague Resource Group chat.
“The team I’m working with wants to build this capability with both teens’ and guardians’ needs and preferences in mind, and to learn about those preferences, we are doing 1-on-1 interviews with folks from a diverse pool of experiences,” Plouff said.
She explained that she is specifically looking to interview parents of teens in same-sex households and teens who “identify as LGBT+.”
Plouff has been the user experience research lead at HealthPartners for more than six years, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“As a Lead for UX research, I’ve established HealthPartners’ in-house research practice with DEI at the center, including processes, templates, and standards, and do research education and share outs across the organization,” Plouff says on her website.
HealthPartners did not respond to Alpha News’ request for comment.
Under Minnesota law, there are certain procedures and circumstances that allow minors to provide consent without parental notification.
“A minor may not receive health care services without consent of a parent or guardian, unless an exception applies. State statutes permit minors to consent to health care services in certain circumstances and authorize minors to consent to specific services,” a Minnesota House research summary explains.
Parental notification is not required for services related to prenatal care, mental health care, and sexually transmitted diseases, with varying age limitations.
A Ramsey County judge struck down a state law last year that required parental notification for abortions.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
