Hennepin (Minn.) Healthcare lost two board members last month after county commissioners placed more oversight on the health system's budget and management decisions, according to a Jan. 9 report from the StarTribune.
The Hennepin County board, which oversees the healthcare system's budget, would only approve the $1.5 billion budget for 2024 if the health system's board agreed to seek approval from county leaders before increasing top executive salaries and deciding to lay off employees. Health system leaders were also asked to create a report on how health insurance changes could affect employees.
Last year, Hennepin Healthcare changed the employee health plan in a move that nurses and other employees say increased out-of-pocket costs. Jennifer DeCubellis, Hennepin Healthcare CEO, said the changes were necessary because the health system has a $127 million budget gap, and the system's benefits remained competitive despite the change.
Steve Thompson, Hennepin Healthcare's incoming board chair, and Diana Vance-Bryan, past chair, resigned Dec. 15 after the oversight change was announced.