ST. PAUL, Minn.—Rep. Dan Fabian is working to expand much-needed access to inpatient mental health services in northwest Minnesota. Under Fabian’s bill, Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls could increase its licensed psychiatric bed capacity to 25 beds. As the region’s only inpatient psychiatric facility, Sanford is limited by current law to a 10-bed maximum.
“Access to this specialized care is desperately needed in our area,” Fabian said. “Folks who have to travel great distances to receive care are disconnected from their family, support networks, and community-based mental health services—all elements that are crucial for a successful recovery.”
Last year, 350 individuals in need of mental health inpatient services were turned away from rural hospitals due to limited bed capacity. Some were directed hundreds of miles away for placement, given delayed care, or placed in law enforcement custody.
“Our goal here is to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families,” Fabian said. “By improving timely access to care, we can help foster faster recovery times, as well as promote better transitional care coordination and reduce pressure on other in-patient resources throughout the state.”
Fabian’s legislation is supported by health care facilities, county social services, law enforcement, and county attorneys in northwest Minnesota. House File 2314 awaits a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Policy committee.
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