ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has released the dates and locations of the public meetings he announced last month about the proposed merger of Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health. Ellison will hold four public meetings in Saint Paul, Bemidji, Worthington, and Grand Rapids in January 2023.
“It’s my job to listen to Minnesotans, many have already responded to my request for comment about the proposed Fairview/Sanford merger, and I want to hear from more. I hope everyone who has thoughts, comments, or concerns to share about the merger will attend a public meeting or leave us a comment. Every Minnesotan is an expert in their own healthcare and in affording their own lives,” Attorney General Ellison said.
Ellison has expressed concern with the merger proposal. Gov. Tim Walz has said he’s open to the deal. A similar proposal in 2015 failed when former Attorney General Lori Swanson and others raised objections.
Ellison’s office will use input that the public submits to evaluate the transaction under existing laws, as well as to determine opportunities for changes or improvements to public policy, regulation, or state or federal law. Comments or information that members of the public submit as part of these civil investigations will generally be treated as “protected nonpublic data” under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
The meetings are set for Jan. 10 in St. Paul, Jan. 17 in Bemidji, Jan. 25 in Worthington and Jan. 31 in Grand Rapids.
