This episode of Hospital Matters features the first segment of a two-hour special report by WCCO Radio on the state of Minnesota's hospitals. Former health commissioner Jan Malcolm, now a special advisor to Gov. Tim Walz, and Minnesota Hospital Association president and CEO Rahul Koranne talked about the situation with WCCO Radio host Blois Olson.

Host: Blois Olson, WCCO Radio

Guest: Jan Malcolm, formerly of the Minnesota Department of Health

Guest: Rahul Koranne, Minnesota Hospital Association

A new University of Minnesota Duluth study is shedding light on the experiences shaping the rural health care workforce in Minnesota. On this episode of Hospital Matters, hear how researchers are turning findings into real-world strategies to sustain care in rural communities.

Learn more about the research and explore trainings available to the public.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guests: Kim Dauner, Associate Professor of Healthcare Management - University of Minnesota Duluth; Kathryn Van Wert, Assistant Professor of English - University of Minnesota Duluth

A new integrated health center in Scott County is expanding access to mental health and addiction care, helping patients get the right care at the right time. On this episode of Hospital Matters, leaders from Scott County, Allina Health, and St. Francis Regional Medical Center discuss how the partnership came together and what it means for the region.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guests: Joe Clubb, Allina Health Vice President of Mental Health and Addiction Services; Barb Dahl, Scott County Social Services Director; Monte Johnson, St. Francis Regional Medical Center Vice President of Medical Affairs

Nonprofit hospitals and health systems work in and outside of their walls to make their communities healthier and provide care for patients regardless of their ability to pay - and Essentia Health recently reported $539 million in these benefits and other community contributions.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Assocation

Guests: Melanie Wilson, Essentia Health Senior Vice President for Revenue Services and Tonya Loken, Essentia Health Community Relations Directo

Essentia Health's community resource guide: Resourceful

Amid workforce development worries, economic uncertainty and demographic changes, nursing has emerged as a "surefire new path to American prosperity," economics reporter Jeanne Whalen recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal. In this episode, Whalen talks about the shifting economy, social norms and other factors that are making nursing careers some of the best bets in the U.S. workforce

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Assocation

Jeanne Whalen, Wall Street Journal

Read Jeanne's article here.

Jarrod Buresh, Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center Medical Director, and Maija Kaarto, Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care Clinical Supervisor joined Hospital Matters to talk about the partnership with the Chum Hope Clinic where they offer free wound care to unhoused patients - providing dignified care to people who need it, and reducing strain in emergency departments.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guests: Jarrod Buresh, Medical Director at Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care, Maija Kaarto, Aspirus St. Luke's Wound Care Clinical Supervisor

Minnesota Hospital Association vice president for finance policy Joe Schindler joins Hospital Matters to talk about a new Minnesota Department of Health report on unpaid care at hospitals. The latest report shows it jumped by nearly a third between 2023 and 2024. Schindler says safety net and rural hospitals are among those struggling the most with uncompensated care.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Joe Schindler, Minnesota Hospital Association

HealthPartners' hospitals in St. Paul and St. Louis Park are using "discharge lounges" as an interim step between inpatient stays and going home. It's part of a national trend to help increase capacity by making more beds available sooner. This week, we check in with Methodist Hospital, after they set up such an area this winter. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guests: Joy Bartlett, nurse manager for observation, Methodist Hospital

Guest: Melissa Fritz, vice president and chief nursing officer, Methodist Hospital

The conflict in Iran is threatening to drive up energy prices, and the price of everything else. Minnesota Hospital Association vice president for finance policy Joe Schindler says hospitals are still trying to dig out from the inflation spike that followed the COVID pandemic, and more cost pressures are already picking up.

Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Joe Schindler, Minnesota Hospital Association

The Minnesota Legislature is shifting into another gear, with bills making their way through committees and getting their first votes. The Minnesota Hospital Association's Michelle Benson and Danny Ackert have an overview of what to watch at the Capitol right now. Host: Tim Nelson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Michelle Benson, Minnesota Hospital Association

Guest: Danny Ackert, Minnesota Hospital Association