rural health

The Minnesota Department of Health is recommending continued support for telehealth services after studying the impact of the 2021 Minnesota Telehealth Act.

Residents will have a chance to tour a 3D mammography truck on Oct. 7 ahead of mobile mammography technology coming to the region.

In a split decision, arbitrators ruled in favor of Essentia Health, finding no breach of contract for shuttering labor and delivery services at the Fosston hospital.

Essentia is the second hospital system serving Minnesotans in as many weeks to announce plans to end its contract with Humana Medicare Advantage. The Duluth-based provider will also drop UnitedHealthcare.

The Sioux Falls-based rural healthcare provider cites coverage denials and delays in accessing care.

Plus: Bemidji mayoral race thins out as challenger announces intent to quit the campaign trail; Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health announces plan to drop Humana Medicare Advantage; Lakeland is gearing up for Debate Night 2024 premiering Oct. 7, and the Superior National Forest added 5,500 acres of natural research area.

While Fosston and Essentia Health wait for an arbitrator's decision on terminating the affiliation agreement, local leaders are looking to operate the hospital with a 501(c)3.

According to the organization's website, only a handful of other donation sites exist in Northern Minnesota: in Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead, Wadena and Roseau.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners — known as SANE nurses — are a critical part of the experience for victims who report their assault or go to a hospital, but many rural areas lack examiners and other resources that can support victims.

Dr. Johnna Nynas was recognized on CNN's Champions of Change program for her work in expanding telehealth to pregnant women in rural Minnesota.