Overview
- The Minnesota Senate, which passed its health bill Wednesday in a 34–32 party-line vote, included $150 million for HCMC as part of a $700 million hospital package and sent it to the House.
- A separate plan would boost Hennepin County’s Target Field sales tax, with the Senate proposing about 0.25% and the House backing 1% to provide ongoing hospital funding.
- Hennepin Healthcare’s board chair said the smaller Senate sales-tax option would not keep the hospital open, while the larger House plan would meet the need.
- The hospital reports about 7.7 days of cash on hand and a $40 million to $50 million loss this year, and leaders warn HCMC could close within months without swift help.
- Following Thursday’s rallies by nurses and a vigil by faith leaders in Minneapolis, supporters urged a long-term fix for HCMC, which serves as Minnesota’s busiest trauma center and treats many patients from outside the county.