Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing the Hennepin Healthcare System Future Structure
and Governance Advisory Task Force; establishing advisory task force duties;
requiring a report; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE FUTURE STRUCTURE AND
GOVERNANCE ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
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Subdivision 1.
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Establishment; purpose.
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The Hennepin Healthcare Future Structure
and Governance Advisory Task Force is established to develop recommendations to the
legislature regarding the future ownership, governance, and financing structure of Hennepin
Healthcare System, Inc. (Hennepin Healthcare), including its integrated system of health
care facilities and services that includes Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). The
advisory task force must evaluate options that recognize HCMC as a regional and statewide
public health and public safety asset that: (1) provides critical health care services, including
Level I trauma care, hyperbaric medicine, treatment services for burns and complex wounds,
comprehensive cancer care, and accredited poison control services; and (2) supports education
and training of health care professionals in Minnesota.
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Subd. 2.
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Leadership; composition.
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(a) The advisory task force must consist of 14
members appointed by the governor. Members must include:
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(1) one member with expertise in health care sector leadership and state public health
systems;
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(2) three members with professional experience in hospital and clinical system operations,
specifically those providing safety net care;
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(3) three members with professional experience in health care finance and public health
insurance programs;
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(4) two members with professional experience in public sector governance and public
authorities;
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(5) three members representing the health care sector workforce; and
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(6) two members representing patient and community perspectives, particularly
communities disproportionately impacted by lack of access to health care.
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(b) The governor must make appointments by August 1, 2026.
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(c) Members appointed under this subdivision serve until the advisory task force expires.
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Subd. 3.
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Organization and meetings.
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(a) The member appointed under subdivision 2,
clause (1), must serve as chair of the advisory task force. The chair must convene the first
meeting of the advisory task force by September 1, 2026. The advisory task force must meet
at least once per month and more frequently at the call of the chair.
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(b) Members of the advisory task force receive no compensation for their services but
must be reimbursed as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, for expenses incurred
as a result of their duties as members of the advisory task force.
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Subd. 4.
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Duties and powers.
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(a) The advisory task force must:
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(1) evaluate the current governance structure of Hennepin Healthcare;
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(2) evaluate governance and ownership models at hospital systems comparable to
Hennepin Healthcare;
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(3) evaluate financing and funding mechanisms to achieve sustainable, long-term funding
of Hennepin Healthcare;
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(4) engage public health stakeholders throughout the state, including but not limited to
cities, counties, health systems, labor organizations, patient and community representatives,
state agencies, and experts in public finance and governance; and
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(5) develop specific recommendations for structures of ownership, governance, and
sustainable, long-term funding of Hennepin Healthcare, as well as strategies for any
ownership or governance transitions and a timeline to implement such transitions.
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(b) In conducting evaluations under paragraph (a), the advisory task force must consider
a full range of potential ownership, governance, and structural models, including models
that may involve regional, multicounty, state, or public authority ownership structures. Such
evaluations are not limited to the ownership of Hennepin Healthcare by Hennepin County.
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Subd. 5.
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Administrative support.
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The commissioner of health must provide meeting
space and administrative services for the advisory task force. State agencies must provide
technical assistance upon the request of the advisory task force.
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Subd. 6.
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Report.
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By February 15, 2027, the advisory task force must submit a report to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over health and human services, taxation, and state government. The report must, at a
minimum, include the following:
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(1) specific recommendations for structures of ownership, governance, and sustainable,
long-term funding of Hennepin Healthcare; a fiscal analysis of all recommendations; and
a timeline to implement all recommendations; and
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(2) draft legislation necessary to implement the specific recommendations.
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Subd. 7.
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Expiration.
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The advisory task force expires June 30, 2027, or upon submission
of the required report, whichever is later.
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EFFECTIVE DATE.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2.
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APPROPRIATION; HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE FUTURE STRUCTURE
AND GOVERNANCE ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
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$500,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for the Hennepin Healthcare Future Structure and Governance Advisory Task
Force.
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