MAHNOMEN — Leaders of the Mahnomen Health Center have announced plans to eliminate inpatient hospital services by transitioning from critical access to a rural emergency hospital.
According to a submission to the Minnesota Department of Health, the health center will continue to provide outpatient and emergency services.
As required by state law, the health department will host a virtual public hearing on the transition at 6 p.m. on April 30.
Mahnomen Health Center opened in 1959 and is jointly owned by Mahnomen County and the city of Mahnomen.
The health center currently has 10 beds and operates a 32-bed skilled nursing facility, serving about 5,500 residents in Mahnomen County, White Earth Reservation and the surrounding area. The skilled nursing facility is not affected by this change, according to the health department.
The Mahnomen County Board was briefed on the reclassification in December 2023, when Mahnomen Health Center CEO Dale Kruger explained the reimbursements from Medicaid would positively impact the hospital’s finances under a rural emergency model.
Congress established the Rural Emergency Hospital designation in 2020 in an effort to maintain access to emergency services in communities that might not be able to support a critical access hospital.
More information about the hearing and a form to submit public comment can be found on the Mahnomen Health Center Public Hearing webpage of the MDH website.
-
Public officials in Hermantown and St. Louis County have recently been scrutinized for signing non-disclosure agreements for the development of a data center. -
Plus: Ten Northern Minnesota communities selected for DEED grants; and MN boasts 64,000 clean energy jobs despite an uncertain future.
-
Plus: Carlton, Wrenshall school districts to consolidate; Walz appoints new judge to 6th Judicial District; Amazon facility opens in Baxter; and Community and Indigenous Fair planned.
-
Contributed/Lorie Shaull via FlickrCurrently closed periods would be open for catch-and-release for largemouth and smallmouth bass, creating a continuous, year-round season. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEBetween MnDOT and the city of Bemidji, six roundabouts are planned for construction between 2025 and 2027 on Highway 197 and its access roads. -
Contributed/Arrowhead Regional Development CommissionAnn Seigfreid's work will focus on energy sovereignty for the Bois Forte and Fond du Lac bands. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota officials say in its first year, the state's North Star Promise program provided more than $100 million in tuition aid to low-income families. -
Contributed/Minnesota Power | AlleteThe 180-mile electrical transmission line from Grand Rapids to St. Cloud will reportedly boost grid reliability and resilience in Northern and central Minnesota. -
And: Arrowhead Regional Development Commission hosts a Coastal and Climate Resilience Fellow; and girls soccer and tennis state tourneys start Tuesday.
-
Contributed/Brent Cizek via BSU Alumni & FoundationThe Bemidji State victory over Northern State University on Oct. 4, 2025, marked 30 years of a unique tradition for the "University in the Pines."
