Essentia, Moose Lake hospital may team up

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Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake could be teaming up with Duluth-based Essentia Health.

The two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to officially explore the possibility, according to an Essentia Health release.

In the scenario being discussed, ownership of the hospital’s assets would remain with the local hospital district, while Essentia Health leases the assets and operates the facility. The hospital would continue to staff the hospital but also have access to Essentia’s specialists, the release said.

Mercy Hospital is exploring new ways to meet the challenges of health-care reform for smaller hospitals, Ken Dahlberg, chairman of the Mercy Hospital board of directors said in a statement.

“This would allow us to continue our commitment to the community, while discovering new and more cost-effective opportunities to offer more coordinated care,” he said.

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