HF3090

HF3090 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Hospital closure provisions clarified.

Related bill: SF3298

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This Minnesota legislative bill aims to enhance clarity and transparency regarding the closure or major operational changes in hospitals. By doing so, it seeks to ensure that community healthcare needs continue to be met even when hospitals reduce services or cease operations entirely.

Main Provisions

Advance Notice Requirement: Hospitals or their controlling persons must inform the Commissioner of Health, the public, and others at least 182 days before taking any significant actions like closing, reducing operations, relocating services, or ending certain inpatient services. Exceptions can be made if the Commissioner finds the notice period to be infeasible and approves a shorter timeframe.
Scheduled Actions Requiring Notice:
- Ceasing operations.
- Curtailing operations that necessitate relocating patients, including inpatients or emergency department services.
- Relocating inpatient health services or emergency department functions to another location.
- Discontinuing inpatient services such as maternity care, newborn care, intensive care, mental health services, or substance use disorder treatment.
Public Hearing Requirement: Within 30 days after receiving a notice of such changes, the Commissioner of Health must hold a public hearing. The hearing should take place near the affected hospital and involve input from the public, who may participate via video conferencing.
Public Participation: The hearings must provide explanations from hospital authorities about the reasons for changes, describe how the community will maintain access to services, and allow public testimony. Hospital representatives must also respond to questions from interested parties.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill emphasizes formalizing and structuring public notifications and hearings when hospitals significantly alter their offerings or halt operations. It strengthens community involvement and governmental oversight in the healthcare sector.

Relevant Terms

Hospital closure
Curtailing operations
Relocating health services
Inpatient services
Public hearing
Commissioner of Health
Video conferencing technology

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Health Finance and Policy
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Health Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduces specific requirements for public hearings related to hospital operations changes."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill clarifies hospital closure provisions under section 144.555.",
      "modified": [
        "Modifies notice requirements for hospital operation cessation or changes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.555",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 1a, 1b"
  }
]