MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Part 3 - The Final Act: Hours Away from the County Board’s Reckless Dismantling of HCMC’s Representative Leadership

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Part 3 -

The Final Act: Hours Away from the County Board’s Reckless Dismantling of HCMC’s Representative Leadership

In mere hours, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will cast a vote that could unravel one of Minnesota’s most significant examples of representative, community-led governance: the Board of Directors of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).

This is the same board the County appointed less than a year ago—tasked with tackling long-standing financial challenges. These challenges are not new. They have existed for years, driven by systemic factors like low Medicaid reimbursements and the high cost of caring for the uninsured. Yet now, under the pretext of “financial hardship,” the Board of Commissioners is poised to dissolve the very leadership they put in place before it’s even had the chance to fully carry out its mandate.

Representation That Wasn’t Meant to Last?

As we outlined in our August 1 editorial, A Betrayal of Trust – The Perilous Plan to Undermine Hennepin Healthcare, the current Hennepin Healthcare Board is one of the most diverse in the country—60% people of color, led by Mohamed Omar, the first Black and Somali chair in the hospital’s history. Nearly 75% of HCMC’s patients are people of color, and this board’s makeup reflects those it serves.

Representation here is not symbolic. As community advocates have stressed, it is essential for effective, equitable healthcare. This board has brought transparency, urgency, and viable solutions to the table. Replacing them with politically compliant appointees is not reform—it is regression.

Legislators Have Already Warned the County Board

The Hennepin County Legislative Delegation has formally urged the Board to slow down. In their letter, they called out the rushed timeline, lack of transparency, and the absence of safeguards envisioned in SF 5507/HF 5442—a 2024 bill designed to modernize Hennepin Healthcare governance. Those safeguards would have required:

• A formal investigation and public notice before dissolving the board
• Clear statutory definitions of malfeasance
• Minnesota Department of Health review of public health impacts
• Protections for continuity of care, contractual obligations, and accreditation

Ignoring these protections isn’t just risky—it undermines public trust and institutional stability.

The Commissioners Who Would Play Almighty

Today’s decision rests with seven individuals who appear ready to override community voice:

• Jeffrey Lunde
• Irene Fernando
• Marion Greene
• Angela Conley
• Debbie Goettel
• Heather Edelson
• Kevin Anderson

By moving to dismantle a functioning, representative board less than a year into its term, these commissioners are sending a dangerous message: representation lasts only as long as those in power find it convenient.

This Is About Power—Not Fiscal Responsibility

Advocates have been clear: if this were truly about solving a budget crisis, the County would offer support, not strip power from the one group actively working toward solutions. This is not fiscal prudence—it is a consolidation of control.

The decision tells our communities that even when they lead with integrity and competence, they can still be removed. That is unacceptable.

The Precedent at Stake

If the County succeeds today, the precedent will be chilling: independent, community-led governance can be dismantled for political convenience. This erosion of democratic accountability will not stop at HCMC—it will embolden similar moves across Minnesota’s public institutions.

The Last Hours to Act

The public hearing on August 5 was a warning shot. Today’s vote is the final act. Once the decision is made, there is no going back.

The communities of Hennepin County—and the surrounding areas that depend on HCMC—must make their voices heard in these final hours. Call the commissioners. Demand accountability. Refuse to let a diverse, community-rooted leadership be replaced with a politically compliant body.

Because when the gavel falls, this decision will belong not just to the seven commissioners casting their votes, but to every Minnesotan who stood by silently.

We urge the Board: delay this vote, work with the current board, and protect the future of HCMC. Anything less is a profound betrayal of public trust.

MinneapoliMedia