ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Monday that the meetings about the proposed merger of Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health have been set.
The four public meetings will be next month in the cities of St. Paul, Bemidji, Worthington, and Grand Rapids.
Last month, Ellison announced he had heard many concerns from "nurses and doctors, from farmers and rural communities, from other workers who are worried about their jobs."
Besides the public meetings, the Office of Attorney General created a dedicated web form and voice mailbox where the public can leave comments about the proposed merger.
"It's my job to listen to Minnesotans: many have already responded to my request for comment about the proposed Fairview/Sanford merger, and I want to hear from more. I hope everyone who has thoughts, comments, or concerns to share about the merger will attend a public meeting or leave us a comment. Every Minnesotan is an expert in their own healthcare and in affording their own lives," Attorney General Ellison said in Monday's news release.
The release provided the dates, times, and locations of the public meetings:
ST. PAUL
- DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 10
- TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Department of Revenue, Room 2000, 600 Robert St N, St. Paul, MN 55101
BEMIDJI
- DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 17
- TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Bemidji State University, Hobson Memorial Union Ballroom, 1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
WORTHINGTON
- DATE: Wednesday, Jan. 25
- TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Worthington High School cafeteria, 1211 Clary St., Worthington, MN 56187
GRAND RAPIDS
- DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 31
- TIME: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Ives Studio at the Reif Performing Arts Center, 720 NW Conifer Dr., Grand Rapids, MN 55744
The Attorney General's Office says the public comments will help in the legal evaluation of the proposed merger, "as well as to determine opportunities for changes or improvements to public policy, regulation, or state or federal law," according to the release.
The proposed merger would create one of the largest health care providers in the country.
Sanford is one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S. and Fairview is one of biggest in the Twin Cities.
The governing boards of both health systems anticipate the deal could be done in 2023.
