The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144.551, subdivision 1, to provide an exception to the existing moratorium on hospital construction and modification. The current law restricts various types of construction or modification that would increase hospital bed capacity or establish new hospitals. However, the bill introduces a new provision that allows for the relocation of up to 26 licensed long-term acute care hospital beds from an existing facility in Hennepin County to a safety net, level I trauma center hospital in Ramsey County, provided that the project is deemed to be in the public interest after a review by the commissioner.

Additionally, the bill deletes a previous provision that allowed for a project for a 144-bed psychiatric hospital on the site of the former Bethesda hospital in Saint Paul, which required a public interest review. The new insertion emphasizes the relocation of long-term acute care beds while ensuring that they continue to serve their intended purpose after the move. This change aims to address the growing healthcare needs in the region while maintaining oversight and ensuring that the relocated beds are utilized effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.551