Minnesota Legislature Reviewing Sanford-Fairview Merger Plan

(Sioux Falls, SD) — The Minnesota Legislature is reviewing the planned merger between Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health. The legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee invited the CEOs of both companies to testify and answer questions yesterday. The two healthcare providers have set a deadline of May 31st to close the deal and begin the merger. Former Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton told lawmakers the merger should be rejected if Fairview doesn’t return ownership of the U of M Medical Center to the school. Sanford’s CEO says the companies are prepared to initiate that process.