BEMIDJI — The Minnesota Department of Health will take public comment on Sanford Health's plan to close its rehabilitation unit in April.
Sanford Health filed a plan with the state health department to transfer its inpatient rehabilitation unit beds to other units. Patients requiring inpatient rehab will be transferred to swing beds, skilled nursing facilities or other facilities outside of the area.
The department's Health Regulation Division will host a public hearing 6 p.m. Jan. 17 to discuss the transition with the greater Bemidji area.
The meeting will be via Microsoft Teams and by phone, with more information at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Public Hearing webpage.
More from KAXE
-
We've partnered with ICTV to interview local candidates for the 2026 election. District 1 is in northwestern Itasca County, and three candidates are headed to a primary. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon RamsayThe vehicles collided at an intersection near Cook on July 1, 2026. Ayden Houde, 20, of Orr suffered life-threatening injuries. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Brainerd lakes area city celebrates the Fourth of July before a quick turnaround to prep for its signature event: Bean Hole Days. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri|Minnesota ReformerProsecutors say the 20 TB of data in their possession includes surveillance footage from drones, body-worn cameras and cameras on federal property. -
Contributed/National Weather ServiceThe National Weather Service confirmed the Murphy Lake Tornado on July 2, 2026, based on drone imagery and local resident reports of damage. -
Erin Bowman/KAXEThe Strictly Mushrooms vendor market is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sunday in Pine River. The market has various goods, different classes and games for kids. -
Lorie ShaullNew social media and domestic violence laws took effect Wednesday, July 1, 2026. -
Canva illustrationThe Minnesota State Patrol reports the fatal crash on June 30, 2026, occurred when a motorcyclist struck the rear end of a northbound pickup truck on Highway 371. -
Contributed/Michael Fairbanks Facebook PageThe agreement provides funding for activities and programs, with three main areas where White Earth will take over responsibility — water and wild rice management, forestry and visitor services. -
Contributed/Calandra Allen / Beltrami CountyIn Northern Minnesota — home to all six Minnesota Chippewa Tribe bands and the sovereign Red Lake Nation — a lack of mental health services has led to jails and emergency rooms filling the gap for years.
