Midwest Access

Two of Minnesota's major health systems, HealthPartners and Essentia Health, have announced a plan to merge. Details on the timeline and structure of the combination have not been widely reported, but the deal would unite two large regional providers with operations spanning Minnesota and neighboring states. The announcement is drawing attention from patients, employees, and regulators watching consolidation in the Upper Midwest health care market.

Midwest nonprofit health systems HealthPartners and Essentia Health have announced plans to merge, combining two of the region's major care providers. The deal would create a larger integrated health network spanning Minnesota and neighboring states. Industry watchers are weighing what the combination means for patients, costs and hospital consolidation across the upper Midwest.