St. Paul, MN - Today, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee heard legislation that authorizes construction a new hospital at the former site of Bethesda Hospital with 144 licensed beds to be used exclusively for providing inpatient adult and geriatric mental health services.
Authored by Rep. John Huot (DFL-Rosemount), the new hospital in the Twin Cities’ East Metro will deliver the latest innovations in care in a therapeutic environment designed uniquely for patients receiving treatment for mental illness, supporting better outcomes, and promoting the highest level of safety for staff and patients.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated our state’s mental health crisis and impacted some of us more severely than others,” said Rep. Huot. “Now more than ever, Minnesotans need access to mental health resources and care. A new inpatient mental health hospital will improve our ability to meet the region’s growing mental health needs.”
Fairview will partner together with Acadia Healthcare to form plans to build the new facility. All patients, no matter income or insurance status, will be able to receive care at the new hospital.
Rep. Huot has seen the need for strong mental health care firsthand growing up with a father who struggled living with Schizophrenia. As a former Emergency Medical Technician, he’s had numerous interactions transporting patients hundreds of miles in mental health crisis.
“A location to serve the metro and surrounding region will create more access and ensure more people can get the safe and quality care they need,” Rep. Huot said.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion to a future Health Finance bill.
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