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.
-
Plus: Demolition work is underway to make room for new construction in Bemidji's blighted rail corridor; Anderson Brothers Construction in Brainerd can once again bid on government contracts; and Essentia Health St. Joseph's will host its annual Tree of Life memorial service on Dec. 16. -
Megan Buffington/KAXECounties, cities and school districts host these meetings at the end of each year, after proposed property tax statements are sent out with tax estimates based on the proposed levies. -
Contributed/Lake of the Woods County Sheriff's OfficeThe man reported being surrounded by 400 feet of open water while standing on thin ice with a portable fish house. -
Officials with the state's Environmental Quality Board heard more on how data center development could impact the state's water resources. -
Contributed/St. Louis CountyRyan Moller allegedly shot his father in the head in Fayal Township after an argument. He was charged with attempted murder and assault Dec. 5, 2025. -
Plus: A Bemidji forum explores the affordability of child care, health care and more for families, along with potential legislative fixes.
-
Larissa Donovan/KAXEChild care providers, local officials and families discussed the high costs of child care and the low wages of child care workers during the Bemidji Affordability Forum on Dec. 3, 2025. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe North Central Research and Outreach Center helped test our state fruit for winter hardiness, a step in its eventual release as the University of Minnesota's first apple variety. -
Contributed/Kate Batten via WTIPFinancial records showed Bryce James Campbell’s companies near-due and past-due business debts amounted to more than $14 million when the fire destroyed the beloved North Shore resort. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota's program distributes funding to more than 100,000 income-eligible households. About 40% had a person over age 60 or with a disability, and 1 in 6 had children younger than 6.
