Under New Law, MN Hospitals Face Fines If They Don’t Alert of Closures

Hospitals face new penalties if they fail to notify Minnesotans of closures or substantial changes that can reduce local access to care, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune. Under the updated law, Minnesota hospitals must now notify the public six months before closing or reducing services or face fines up to $60,000. This law aims to protect local access to care, especially in rural areas. Public hearings will be held to allow community input on hospital changes, although the state cannot prevent the closures.