Public health

Pioneer Press Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:14:26 -0700
Woodbury / Psychiatric hospital plan clears a hurdle

A key criticism of a proposed psychiatric hospital in Woodbury - that it wouldn't take its full share of state Medicaid patients - may no longer be a problem. When Prairie St. John's first proposed a psychiatric hospital, its leaders believed that a federal rule prevented them from getting paid to admit poor and disabled adults covered by Medicaid. It turns out, they were wrong. Minnesota has an exemption to the rule. The discovery addresses one concern among leaders of Twin Cities hospitals, who fear that Prairie will refuse adults from the low-paying Medicaid program and leave the financial burden of their care to everyone else. In a Jan. 30 letter to the Minnesota Department of Health, Prairie officials said this new understanding ensures the Woodbury hospital "will operate on a level playing field with existing hospital psychiatric services." Prairie officials pressed for state support despite "fear mongering, turf protection and disingenuous rhetoric" by the competing hospital officials who oppose the project. The finding could change the Health Department's review of the proposal, said Julie Sonier of the state's health economics program. A department recommendation is needed before the Minnesota Legislature can decide whether to lift a construction moratorium and allow the $22 million hospital project.

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