Health Care

As IMCare, Itasca County's sole carrier of public health insurance, plans to terminate its in-network contract with Lakeview Behavioral Health, many share concerns about continuity of care for patients.

Plus mediation for Essentia Health and the city of Fosston over a pause in obstetric care, a robust wild rice season in Northern Minnesota, and a land transfer from the city of Minneapolis to the Red Lake Nation.

Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota has used telehealth services to expand access to maternal health care in rural areas through the Families First Rural Collaborative.

The initiative includes nearly $18.3 million to help Minnesota hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and an additional $8.1 million to boost sonography and point of care ultrasound training opportunities across the state.

While rural populations account for 20% of the country’s population, only 11% of the country’s physicians live there. According to the AAMC, three out of five federally designated health professional shortage areas are in rural regions.

MDH makes recommendations to the governor’s office based on what areas data shows a need. The health commissioner then brings proposals to the governor.

The cause is lower revenues from Medicaid and Medicare, rising personnel costs from staffing shortages, and increased demand for services. Michael Topchik, national leader for Chartis, said 43% of rural hospitals are operating in the red.

After pushback from Minnesota lawmakers a few months ago, Sanford and Fairview delayed the merger’s deadline from March 31 to May 31, but Attorney General Keith Ellison said he wishes the date would be delayed further.

The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act in the Minnesota Senate addresses insufficient staffing

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