Planned Parenthood North Central States Named LGBTQ+ Health Care Top Performer
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2024
St. Paul, MN — Planned Parenthood North Central States has been named a top LGBTQ+ health care provider by the HEI index. The HEI index is a national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool created by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The assessment evaluates how equitable patient and employee experiences are for LGBTQ+ individuals in health care practices across the country.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe and seen in health care spaces,” said Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Planned Parenthood North Central States is actively working to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ people in the health care system by offering robust telehealth services, LGBTQ+ care coordination, and gender-affirming care. We will continue to work with partners, advocates, and diverse communities until health equity is a reality.”
Telehealth allows PPNCS to meet patients where they are and reduce barriers to accessing health care. Patients can access critical health care without traveling large distances or leaving the comfort of their home. LGBTQ+ Care Coordination connects patients with resources in the community and care at PPNCS health centers. They help patients navigate insurance, understand how to legally change their names and/or gender markers on official documents, find support groups, provide information about transitioning and referrals for surgeries, and answer any questions.
PPNCS provides vital health care services for people of all sexual orientations, gender expressions, and gender identities. Our wide range of reproductive and sexual health services includes cervical and breast cancer screenings, contraception care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, HIV testing, PrEP and PEP, immunizations, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, gender-affirming care including hormone management, and abortion information and options.
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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education, and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). Each year, we provide health care to more than 93,000 people and health education to more than 58,000 people in our region.