Health Regulation Division
Public Hearings

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works with hospitals to host public hearings when they close or change certain services, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.555. This statute gives MDH the authority to hold the meeting and to inform the public but not to change, delay or prevent the proposed changes, closures or relocations.

For more information, see the Hospital Closure and Change in Services page.

Upcoming hearings

None.

Previous hearings

Information about hearings that occurred more than a year ago has been removed from our website but is still available via submission of a Data Practices Request.

Allina Health Faribault Medical Center

MDH held a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. covering several changes in services provided at Allina Health Faribault Medical Center. 

Allina Mercy-Unity Campus and Abbott Northwestern Hospital

MDH held a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 25 regarding Allina Health’s closure of the inpatient chemical dependency unit at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley as well as the Kidney Transplant Program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Mayo Clinic Health Systems (MCHS)-Fairmont

MDH held a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 28 regarding Mayo Clinic Health Systems (MCHS)-Fairmont closure of its inpatient obstetrical care, inpatient pediatric care and surgical procedures units.

North Memorial Health

MDH held a public hearing on June 27 regarding North Memorial Health lowering its newborn nursery level of care at North Memorial Robbinsdale Hospital from Level 2 (special care nursery) to level 1 (well newborn nursery).

Lakewood Health System

MDH held a public hearing on May 14 regarding Lakewood Health System's cessation of inpatient mental health services in its Medicare-certified behavioral health unit.

Mahnomen Health Center

MDH held a public hearing on April 30 regarding Mahnomen Health Center’s transition to Rural Emergency Hospital. Rural emergency hospitals do not have inpatient or swing beds.

Allina Mercy Hospital

MDH held a public hearing on March 26 regarding the relocation of Mercy Hospital Unity Campus (Fridley) intensive care services to the Mercy Campus (Coon Rapids), the relocation of Unity Campus surgical services to the Mercy Campus and the closure of the inpatient pediatric unit at Mercy Campus.

Lake Region Healthcare

MDH held a public hearing on Feb. 20 regarding Lake Region Healthcare’s closure of its voluntary admission inpatient mental health unit in Fergus Falls.

Mayo New Prague

MDH held a public hearing on Feb. 6 regarding Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague ending labor and delivery services.

Essentia Health-Fosston

MDH held a public hearing on January 30 regarding the planned closure of the Labor and Delivery services unit at Essentia Health-Fosston.

Sanford Bemidji Medical Center

MDH held a public hearing on January 17 regarding Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s planned closure of its inpatient rehabilitation unit.

Allina Health United Hospital

MDH held a public hearing on December 21, 2023, regarding the relocation of adolescent mental health beds from Allina Health United Hospital in St. Paul to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

New Ulm Medical Center

MDH held a public hearing on October 11, 2023, regarding New Ulm Medical Center's planned closure of its residential addiction services unit in New Ulm.