Health reform forces small-town hospital to look for partner

A tiny hospital in New Prague, Minn., has decided it can no longer operate independently under the new federal health reform law.

Queen of Peace Hospital withstood the wave of consolidation that swept the industry in the 1990s. But now its leaders are trying to link up with a larger health system to ensure the facility's survival.

In the early 1950s, the community of New Prague, southwest of the Twin Cities, built Queen of Peace. It asked the Sisters of St. Benedict to run the hospital, and they agreed. The order sent eight nuns to staff the hospital, including Sister Catherine McInnis.