Minneapolis Medical Center Faces Closure, Calls for State Intervention

Hennepin County Medical Center, a critical safety-net hospital, is on the brink of financial collapse and seeks legislative action to secure funding.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:19pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of the metal frame and internal components of a hospital bed, conveying the delicate and vulnerable state of the medical facility's infrastructure.An X-ray view of the complex inner workings of a hospital bed frame, reflecting the fragile financial state of Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota's critical safety-net hospital.Minneapolis Today

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), Minnesota's busiest Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center, is facing up to $50 million in operating losses in 2026 and $1.7 billion in losses over the next 10 years. Health care workers and union leaders are calling for urgent legislative action to save the hospital, which serves as a vital safety net for patients across the state. Without intervention by the end of the legislative session on May 18, HCMC could begin closing in June, overwhelming other hospitals and leading to longer emergency room wait times.

Why it matters

HCMC is a critical safety-net hospital that serves uninsured and publicly insured patients, who make up the majority of its patient population. Its closure would have a devastating impact across Minnesota, as it is the state's only Level 1 trauma center and a training site for more than half of the state's practicing physicians. The loss of HCMC would overwhelm other hospitals, leading to longer wait times and reduced access to care, especially for the most vulnerable patients.

The details

HCMC, part of the Hennepin Healthcare provider system, is facing a dire financial outlook due to factors like the shutdown of Minnesota-based health insurer UCare, which owes the hospital $115 million, and the high cost of treating uninsured or publicly insured patients. Upcoming changes to Medicaid eligibility under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to further exacerbate HCMC's financial challenges, with an estimated 140,000 Minnesotans at risk of losing their health coverage in the coming decade.

  • In 2025, HCMC saw nearly 115,000 patients, including more than 94,000 emergency department visits.
  • In February 2026, HCMC cut its beds by 100, to 390 total.
  • In January 2026, the hospital stopped accepting most non-emergency transfers from outside of Hennepin County.
  • By May 18, 2026, the end of the legislative session, lawmakers must take action to save HCMC from beginning to close in June.

The players

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

Minnesota's busiest Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center, and a safety-net hospital that accepts patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Jeremy Olson-Ehlert

A registered nurse at HCMC and second vice president of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA).

Jeffrey Lunde

Hennepin County Commissioner and chair of the Hennepin Health Board.

Hennepin Healthcare

The larger provider system that HCMC is a part of.

Minnesota Department of Human Services

The state agency that conducted an analysis showing 140,000 Minnesotans are at risk of losing their health coverage in the coming decade due to changes to Medicaid eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“HCMC is not just a Minneapolis hospital. It's Minnesota's safety net. It is Minnesota's last line of care.”

— Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, Registered nurse at HCMC and second vice president of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)

“Patients will wait significantly longer in emergency departments, and hospitals across Minnesota will lose a partner that they rely on. There is no backup plan, there is no extra capacity, and there is no other place for these patients to go.”

— Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, Registered nurse at HCMC and second vice president of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA)

“We've met with the speaker, the senate minority leader, the senate majority leader, leadership in the House, because we've been very focused on we need a bipartisan bill, and we need bipartisan support.”

— Jeffrey Lunde, Hennepin County Commissioner and chair of the Hennepin Health Board

What’s next

A bill to repurpose the county's 0.15% sales tax used to pay off bonds for the Minnesota Twins stadium into a 1% tax that would generate about $340 million annually for HCMC is expected to be introduced in the House on Tuesday, April 11, when the Legislature reconvenes after the Easter/Passover break. The bill is expected to have bipartisan support.

The takeaway

The potential closure of Hennepin County Medical Center, Minnesota's only Level 1 trauma center and a critical safety-net hospital, would have devastating consequences for the state's health care system. Lawmakers must act quickly and in a bipartisan manner to secure the necessary funding to keep HCMC operational and ensure continued access to essential medical services for all Minnesotans.