Attorney General appointee outlines facilitation plan to stabilize Minnesota health system

Lois Quam, the strategic facilitator appointed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, told the University of Minnesota Board of Regents’ health-care committee that her charge is to oversee discussions among the University, Fairview Health Services and Essentia Health and to help the parties reach an agreement that preserves health services across the state.

Quam outlined a facilitator’s mandate to establish communication guidelines, set milestones and deadlines, and facilitate negotiations that lead to an acceptable, durable solution for physicians, health-care workers and patients. She described recent fact‑finding work, including facility tours and meetings with leaders and unions, and said she meets with the attorney general’s office every other week to keep them informed.

Board members asked for a completion timeline and more specific next steps. Quam said she is prioritizing speed but cannot unilaterally set deadlines; she will negotiate milestones and timelines with all parties so any schedule reflects shared agreement and is implementable. ‘‘The sooner is better,’’ she told regents, but added that she needs to complete information‑gathering and coordinate with each organization before announcing firm dates.

Regent Mayeron and others pressed Quam on procedural authority. Quam cited 2023 legislation that, she said, authorizes the attorney general to review new health‑care arrangements that affect the public interest and to appoint a facilitator to help produce options; she added that the attorney general reserves the right to review outcomes that result from the facilitation.

Regents and the president highlighted three substantive questions they expect the facilitation to answer: what the value proposition will be for communities and patients, whether a sustainable business model exists, and how a consolidated or new entity would avoid duplicating local resources. Quam said those topics are central to her work plan and acknowledged ‘‘some turbulent water under this bridge’’ in past relationships among the parties but expressed confidence that agreement is possible.

The board’s next steps are procedural: Quam will complete tours and stakeholder meetings, negotiate milestones with the parties, and report back to the board and the attorney general as those milestones are set. No formal motions or votes were taken on the facilitation at the committee meeting.