Rep. Keith Allen Condemns Reduction of Medical Services at Faribault Medical Center
St. Paul, MN — State Representative Keith Allen (R–19A) released the following statement in response to Allina Health’s announcement that it will discontinue labor and delivery services, pediatric admissions, and emergency surgical coverage at Faribault Medical Center as part of a regional consolidation plan with Owatonna Hospital:
“The decision by Allina Health to eliminate key services from Faribault Medical Center is deeply concerning and unacceptable for the people of southern Minnesota,” said Rep. Allen. “Families in Faribault and the surrounding area deserve reliable, local access to labor and delivery care, emergency surgery, and pediatric services. Shifting these essential services to another city creates unnecessary risks for patients and additional strain on families, especially in emergencies.”
Under the plan announced by Allina Health, labor and delivery services at Faribault Medical Center will be consolidated into Owatonna Hospital beginning December 1, 2025. Pediatric admissions in Faribault will end in May 2026, and emergency surgical coverage during evenings and weekends will also be discontinued. Patients requiring these services will be transferred to Owatonna or to Twin Cities locations.
Rep. Allen said the loss of these services highlights a broader crisis facing rural health care in Minnesota. “Communities outside the metro area are being forced to absorb the consequences of workforce shortages, financial pressures, and decisions made without meaningful local input,” Allen said. “We cannot allow rural hospitals to quietly lose critical services one by one. Every Minnesotan deserves safe, timely, and local access to health care.”
###