Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson will meet with officials from Freeborn County and Albert Lea Aug. 21 to discuss Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Health System's plan to consolidate health services between its Albert Lea and Austin, Minn., facilities, according to the Post Bulletin.
An attorney for Freeborn County reportedly contacted the attorney general's office July 25, raising concerns about whether Mayo's "past and ongoing business practices violate any state or federal laws," according to the report.
The Post Bulletin also obtained a copy of a four-page letter Minnesota AG's office sent to Mayo officials and Freeborn County and Albert Lea leaders Aug. 16. The AG's office requested information about Mayo's consolidation plan for the two facilities via 23 specific questions about governance issues, the decision-making process and the "use of restricted assets," the report states.
State officials ordered Mayo executives to provide the information no later than Aug. 30.
Freeborn County and city officials claim bylaws outlined under Mayo Clinic's acquisition agreement state officials at the Albert Lea and Austin campuses must obtain a supermajority to discontinue "major medical services" at either facility, according to the report. Local leaders allege such a vote was never held when deciding the Albert Lea-Austin consolidation plan.
A spokesperson for Mayo Clinic told the Post Bulletin Wednesday, "We are confident that we have complied with all the requirements of our bylaws and the law."
The health system announced its intent to consolidate services between the two campuses June 12 after an 18-month internal review, the report states. However, local leaders and Albert Lea residents claim they were "blindsided" by the decision.
The consolidation process is set to begin in October.