HCMC doctor warns hospital closure would endanger health database, cause "public health crisis"

Hennepin County Medical Center faces closure due to Medicaid cuts and budget issues, putting critical research and emergency services at risk.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Dr. Tyler Winkelman, a doctor at Minneapolis' Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), warns that the potential closure of the hospital would be a "public health crisis." HCMC houses a unique health data consortium that tracks critical health metrics for nearly every Minnesotan, as well as a renowned trauma center and hyperbaric chamber. Winkelman says the hospital's closure would endanger this valuable health research and leave the community without access to crucial emergency and specialized medical services.

Why it matters

HCMC is a vital institution for the Minneapolis community, providing emergency care, specialized medical services, and conducting cutting-edge health research through its MN EHR Consortium database. The potential closure of the hospital due to Medicaid cuts and budget issues would have severe public health consequences, depriving residents of essential healthcare resources and jeopardizing important health data and research initiatives.

The details

HCMC, also known as Hennepin Healthcare, is facing the possibility of closure after Medicaid cuts and budget confusion. Dr. Tyler Winkelman, a doctor at the hospital, says that alongside the hospital's trauma center and hyperbaric chamber, the MN EHR Consortium health data system is worth saving. The consortium compiles the confidential health records of nearly every Minnesotan, allowing Winkelman and his team to track critical health metrics like COVID-19, cancer, and depression down to the neighborhood level. Winkelman warns that the closure of HCMC would be "a public health crisis" that would endanger this valuable health research and leave the community without access to crucial emergency and specialized medical services.

  • In 2020, Winkelman helped create the MN EHR Consortium, the online database that tracks health records for nearly every Minnesotan.
  • The hospital's future is currently in the hands of the state Legislature, with hospital leaders indicating they have signs of bipartisan support and expect to know more about a bill that could save HCMC next week.

The players

Dr. Tyler Winkelman

A doctor at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis, who helped create the MN EHR Consortium, a unique health data system that tracks critical health metrics for nearly every Minnesotan.

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

Also known as Hennepin Healthcare, a hospital in Minneapolis that is facing the possibility of closure due to Medicaid cuts and budget issues. The hospital houses a renowned trauma center, hyperbaric chamber, and the MN EHR Consortium health data system.

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What they’re saying

“HCMC is a special place. There are opportunities to not only practice clinical medicine, but to conduct cutting-edge research.”

— Dr. Tyler Winkelman, Doctor, Hennepin County Medical Center (CBS News)

“This situation couldn't be more urgent. We have to have a solution, we must keep Hennepin Healthcare open.”

— Dr. Tyler Winkelman, Doctor, Hennepin County Medical Center (CBS News)

What’s next

Hospital leaders tell WCCO they do have signs of bipartisan support and they'll know more about a bill that could save HCMC next week.

The takeaway

The potential closure of Hennepin County Medical Center would have severe public health consequences for the Minneapolis community, depriving residents of essential emergency care, specialized medical services, and jeopardizing critical health research initiatives like the MN EHR Consortium. Preserving this vital institution is crucial to safeguarding the community's wellbeing and access to cutting-edge healthcare resources.