🏥 HCMC on life support

What will it take to save HCMC?

Hennepin County officials and hospital leaders urged legislators last week to find a different way to fund the state’s biggest hospital, or else it will close. Hennepin County Medical Center is a public safety-net hospital, which is mandated to serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. But that’s part of why they’re at risk of closing. Hennepin Healthcare administered $104 million worth of uncompensated care in 2024, compared to $40 million in 2020. Overall, the hospital is facing a $50 million budget gap. [Bring Me The News]

• Why the shortfall: Public officials also cited the increasing costs of running a Level I trauma center (the highest designation), which treats serious and complex injuries. The hospital also expects to lose $1.7 billion over 10 years stemming from the Trump administration’s Medicaid reductions. In response, the hospital cut five medical programs and 100 full-time positions to offset costs. [MPR]
• “Ballpark” sales tax: But it’s not enough, officials say. Hospital leaders and county commissioners are asking lawmakers to repurpose a sales tax currently paying off Target Field’s construction debt. They’re asking for a permanent 1 percent sales tax. [MPR / Fox 9]
• The impact: Several medical and business organizations wrote letters of support for the hospital to legislators. HCMC is also a big downtown Minneapolis employer, and 29% of patients in recent years live outside of the county. “If Hennepin Healthcare’s capacity were diminished, patients in every region of Minnesota would face delayed care, longer transport times, and increased risk during their most critical moments,” wrote Lisa Mattson, president of the Minnesota Medical Association.

Expensive statute: Five Republican lawmakers want to funnel $25,000 in state money toward building a statue of Charlie Kirk on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Mary McGuire reports this seems unlikely to pass. As an alumnus, I can imagine better ways to spend $25,000. [Bring Me The News]

Local drip: I’m absolutely obsessed with Keith Harris’ latest Racket piece about the corduroy jacket St. Paul dads are rocking. Shout out to the St. Paul Saints’ retail manager, Betsy Faber, who clearly saw the vision. “They’re absolute compliment factories," Faber told Harris. [Racket]

Cool cameo: Emily Fairfax, a beaver scientist at the University of Minnesota, has inspired a Pixar character. Fairfax was a paid consultant on the movie “Hoppers” (in theaters this Friday), and the producers named a professor after her. The Q&A with Fairfax about beavers is a must-read. [Pioneer Press]

That’s fishy: Jess Fleming, food editor at Pioneer Press, joins today’s show to talk about the best fish frys. Her current favorite is perch and sunfish at St. Paul Brewing’s Friday fish fry. Catch 🐟 the full list on today’s episode. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities]

Kids at home: St. Paul schools have been offering e-learning for students for over a month now due to the ICE surge. Anthony Lonetree reports that while online participation is down from 7,000 to 3,400, it’s still high at some schools. School leaders worry about students’ mental health, ability to learn, and financial constraints. [Star Tribune]

Tues. March 3

• 🚀 Omnifest | Science Museum of Minnesota
• 👗 Where She Wore | Honour Coffee
• 🍷 Tunes & Terroir | Aki’s Breadhaus
• 🎼 Yo-Yo Ma (WAITLIST) | Minnesota Orchestra
• 🦔 Holidating: Wildlife Day | Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater
• 🐘 Water for Elephants | Orpheum Theatre
• 🦕 Dinosaur World Live! | Children’s Theatre Company

Wed. March 4

• 👶 Mini Mia | Minneapolis Institute of Art
• 🧶 Knitting Near Nature 🆓 | The Trailhead
• 🌴 FIA | Cedar Cultural Center
• 🧂 ROAD SALT: An Evening of Music to Melt The ICE | Hook and Ladder Theater
• 🖋️ Kirsty Carter & Emma Thomas | Walker Art Center
• 🎞️ Tape Freaks | Trylon Cinema
• 🎤 The Smithereens | Parkway Theater
• 💃 Dancing with the Stars Live! | Armory

• Executive Director at Ramsey County Historical Society | $100k - $120k per year
• Wardrobe Director at Guthrie Theater | $75k - $76k per year
• Forest Economist at MN Department of Natural Resources | $75k - $111k per year
• Gallery Director at St. Catherine University | $38k - $54k per year (PT Temporary)
• Communications and Development Coordinator at Immigrant Law Center of MN | $27.85 per hour