Attorney General’s Office Holds Roundtable On Proposed Duluth Hospital Mergers

DULUTH, Minn.–Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Office held a community roundtable Wednesday evening at UMD about two separate hospital mergers in Duluth.

Earlier this month Ellison announced it’s his responsibility to consider whether a healthcare transaction is in the public interest and seek court intervention if he finds that it is not. 

Essentia Health plans to merge with Marshfield Clinic Systems. St. Luke’s is looking to transition with Aspirus Health.

Wednesday, one of the major topics of discussion was how hospital mergers could affect medical costs.

“The proposed partnership will improve access to high quality care, expand rural healthcare, and clearly benefit the patients and communities that we all serve,” said V.P. of St. Luke’s Duluth and Lake View President/CEO Greg Ruberg. “I see tremendous opportunities for a comprehensive, integrative system of care across the Aspirus-St. Luke’s merger.”

Meanwhile Essentia Health saying in part.

“By combining resources and working together, we will be better positioned to navigate the challenges facing health care in our region and across the country. Organizations like Essentia and Marshfield Clinic need to evolve in a way that helps us continue to meet our patients’ needs.”

Ellison’s office says Wednesday’s community input in Duluth will be taken back to the Attorney General’s Office for review.