Former Gov. Mark Dayton bluntly told a state Senate committee what he believed was at stake if the Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services controlled the University of Minnesota’s medical facilities after the two health care companies merged, MPR News reports.
“As the land grant institution, the University of Minnesota and all of its assets are obligated, both legally and morally, to be used for the benefit of our state and our citizens,” he said.
During questioning, Sanford President and CEO Bill Gassen said the AG’s office sent them subpoenas.
The Twin Cities-based Fairview Health Services and South Dakota-based Sanford Health announced their intent to merge back in November. Since then, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has been looking into the deal to determine if it violates any state laws. Sanford has said the combined company would be headquartered in Sioux Falls.
Ellison said during testimony that his office’s investigation into the proposed merger is still ongoing. But confirmed they have moved into a “new phase” of the investigation, and are demanding sworn statements from certain individuals as part of his office’s investigative authority.
