Hennepin County Medical Center estimates a $1.7 billion loss over the next decade as Medicaid changes take effect and thousands of Minnesotans lose coverage. This spring, it did not meet payroll without Hennepin County’s support. HCMC has accumulated more than $100 million in debt due to people increasingly failing to pay for their care, more than double its 2020 total, a HCMC spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Ucare, which covered roughly 300,000 low-income Minnesotans, dissolved early this year due to financial issues. The closure added to HCMC's financial woes, as Ucare still owes the hospital $115 million for its services. About 75% of patients at HCMC are uninsured or publicly insured. The COVID-19 pandemic-era Medicaid eligibility requirements ended in 2023, leaving many uninsured and reducing Medicaid reimbursements to HCMC. The Minnesota Department of Human Services released a preliminary report in 2025 estimating that about 140,000 Minnesotans will lose Medicaid coverage in the next decade. Certain immigrant populations, such as refugees and asylum seekers, will no longer be eligible for Medicaid coverage on Oct. 1, 2026.
In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
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