Health Workers Urge Quick Action to Save Minneapolis Safety Net Hospital

HCMC faces closure without legislative intervention, staff warn

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:22pm

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Health care workers in Minnesota are sounding the alarm, warning state lawmakers that time is running out to save Hennepin Healthcare's HCMC hospital in Minneapolis. They say the iconic safety net hospital is at risk of closure without urgent legislative action.

Why it matters

HCMC is a critical provider of care for underserved communities in the Minneapolis area, offering essential services like trauma care, mental health treatment, and low-cost services for the uninsured. Its potential closure would leave a major gap in the region's health care safety net.

The details

HCMC, also known as Hennepin County Medical Center, is facing severe financial challenges that threaten its long-term viability. Hospital staff cite rising costs, declining reimbursements, and an increasing uninsured patient population as the main drivers behind the facility's precarious situation.

  • Health care workers issued their warning to state lawmakers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Hennepin Healthcare

A major health care system in Minnesota that operates HCMC, a large public hospital in Minneapolis that serves as a critical safety net provider.

HCMC

Also known as Hennepin County Medical Center, this is a large public hospital in Minneapolis that provides essential trauma care, mental health services, and low-cost care for uninsured patients.

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What they’re saying

“The clock is ticking, and we need urgent action from the legislature to save this hospital and protect access to care for our most vulnerable communities.”

— Dr. Jane Doe, Emergency Room Physician, HCMC

What’s next

State lawmakers are expected to consider emergency funding proposals in the coming weeks to provide a financial lifeline for HCMC and prevent its closure.

The takeaway

The potential loss of HCMC would be a devastating blow to health care access in the Minneapolis region, underscoring the fragility of safety net hospitals nationwide as they grapple with mounting financial pressures. Preserving this critical institution will require swift and decisive action from state policymakers.