Lakewood Health System Public Hearing

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on May 14, on Lakewood Health System's cessation of inpatient mental health services in its Medicare-certified behavioral health unit. 

According to the submission filed by Lakewood Health System, they will continue to provide outpatient mental health services. The unit is currently on divert status due to lack of staff for new admissions.

More information is available in the MDH news release: Public hearing set for May 14 on Lakewood Health Care cessation inpatient mental health services.

Hospital name: Lakewood Health System

Hospital owner: Lakewood Health System

Hospital location: Staples, Minnesota

Proposed service change: Lakewood Health System's cessation of inpatient mental health services in its Medicare-certified behavioral health unit. 

Public hearing date and time: May 14, 2024, at 6 p.m. (via Teams)

The Minnesota Department of Health serves as a facilitator to ensure there is public discussion and engagement for any proposed closure, reduction of services or relocation of services for a hospital or hospital campus 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.

Call information

• Date: May 14, 2024
• Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Central Time (end time subject to change)

Click here to join the call: Lakewood Health System Public Hearing

You may also call in using a phone. Call the phone number provided below and enter the access code.

Audio-only call: +1-651-395-7448
Phone Conference ID: 777 081 222#

Need help?

• Microsoft Support: Join a meeting in Teams

Captioning services are being provided for attendees within the Teams interface. Detailed instructions for using the captions are available on Microsoft's website: Use live captions in a Teams meeting.

If you are unable to use captions through Teams, they are also available to view in your browser through this link once the meeting begins: MNDOH: Real Time Text.

Call documents

Presentation slides will be posted prior to the call. A transcript of the hearing will be posted on this page seven to 10 business days after the call.

• Presentation: 2024-05-14 Lakewood Health System Cessation of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services Presentation (PDF)
• Transcript: 2024-05-14 Lakewood Health System Cessation of Inpatient Mental Health Services Public Hearing Transcript (PDF)

Submit a comment or question

If you have a comment or question about the proposed changes, you can share it by filling out the form at the link below until 11:59 p.m. May 15, 2024.

Comments and questions will be shared with Lakewood Health System and will be answered during the hearing.

• Lakewood Health System's cessation of inpatient mental health services public hearing comments.