Rural hospitals across Minnesota are running out of time.

Right now, critical access hospitals that serve thousands of families are being pushed to the brink—not because of a lack of patients or care, but because millions of dollars in Medicare payments are being delayed due to a federal processing breakdown.

At Mille Lacs Health System, leaders say they could be forced to close within weeks if the payments they are owed aren’t released. Other hospitals across the state are facing the same reality, struggling to cover payroll, keep services running, and stay open for the communities that rely on them.

These hospitals are lifelines. They provide emergency care, routine checkups, and essential services for seniors, families, and people with disabilities. When a rural hospital closes, care doesn’t just disappear—it moves farther away. Patients are left traveling longer distances in emergencies, delaying treatment, and facing worse outcomes.

This crisis is not about new funding or increased spending. It is about releasing payments that have already been earned.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has acknowledged delays tied to recent system changes. But acknowledgment is not enough when hospitals are counting down the days until they can no longer operate.

We are calling on CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to act immediately to release all delayed Medicare payments and ensure no hospital is forced to close because of preventable administrative failures. We also urge Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to step in and demand urgent oversight and resolution.

Release the payments. Keep rural hospitals open. Protect access to care before it’s too late.