We need help now Leaders say financially struggling HCMC needs a cash infusion

Hennepin Healthcare, which oversees the Minneapolis safety-net hospital HCMC, faces a critical $36 million budget shortfall that threatens jobs and patient services. Executives attribute the financial strain to a surge in uninsured patients and insufficient Medicaid reimbursements, with the hospital reporting losses in seven of the past eight years. Interim CEO Dr. Thomas Klemond noted the hospital's ongoing financial instability, saying, “We are almost always on edge. ” Despite initiatives to boost revenue and enhance operational efficiency, costs related to uninsured patients have nearly doubled since 2020, nearing $100 million this year.

Hennepin County provides around $40 million annually to assist with the expenses of uninsured residents, but this subsidy falls short. The hospital's board created a task force to devise a budget plan by mid-August, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Tensions between the county and health system boards persist as they navigate the financial crisis, with potential implications for taxpayer funding if debts remain unpaid. The community's support is crucial as the hospital strives to maintain its mission of serving lower-income patients.