(ABC 6 News) – A growing trend across southern Minnesota is leaving rural residents with fewer options to seek medical care.
On Thursday, April 30th, faith leaders and community members will gather for a prayer vigil at Rochester’s peace plaza. The event aims to bring attention to the possible closure of Hennepin County Medical Center, and other rural clinics.
HCMC leaders have said they face a $50 million deficit and could run out of money without help from the Minnesota Legislature. The hospital cites uncompensated care and cuts to federal healthcare funding as contributing factors.
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It comes as many rural communities in southern Minnesota have seen local clinics and hospitals shut down. ISAIAH, the group putting on the vigil, says 25 Mayo Clinic locations have closed across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa in the past eight years.
The rally will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ISAIAH has also written a letter to Governor Tim Walz and other legislative leaders, urging them to quickly pass funding for HCMC and other rural hospitals.
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