House adopts health conference report, authorizes emergency aid and stabilization measures for Hennepin County Medical Center

The Minnesota House adopted the conference report on Senate File 46,12 after extended floor discussion, advancing a health and human services package that members said will stabilize hospitals statewide and provide immediate funding to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).

Supporters described the measure as an urgent intervention to protect a statewide trauma and teaching hospital. Representative Biermann and co-sponsors said the bill directs a combination of direct payments and stabilization resources to help HCMC manage exploding uncompensated-care costs and other financial pressures. Representative about J. said the agreement provides both near-term cash and longer-term access to reserves: "The total amount of 205 million dollars, 100 million split across DPP payments and another 105 million dollars directly to the hospital," she said, and the bill also allows access to general reserve funds through 2031 under qualifying criteria.

Members also described additional statewide hospital supports included in the conference report: a hospital stabilization fund, increases in critical-access hospital rates and targeted uncompensated-care grants. Representative Nadeau highlighted that $30 million for uncompensated care for critical-access hospitals and a permanent partial rate increase will help rural facilities, and said the package also includes funding for children and families programs, food supports, and mental-health and crisis services.

Lawmakers emphasized governance and oversight conditions tied to the HCMC assistance: quarterly reports on use of funds, a requirement that Hennepin County move to a professional board by January 2027 unless alternatives are negotiated, and a task force to recommend long-term, sustainable solutions for the hospital. Supporters framed these provisions as safeguards accompanying the stabilization dollars.

Opponents and some speakers raised broader concerns about long-term federal pressures on state systems and called for additional enforcement of pharmaceutical pricing and insurer practices; Representative Biermann and others urged continued work during the next session to address systemic issues such as drug discount enforcement and prior-authorization practices.

The clerk took the roll; the House recorded the conference report as adopted (roll-call later reported as 108 ayes and 26 nays). The bill now proceeds per legislative process under the conference agreement.