Walz signals openness to revived Sanford-Fairview merger

Gov. Tim Walz expressed openness to the proposed merger of Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services with Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health, signaling friendlier political waters than the nonprofit health giants encountered when they tried to combine a decade ago.

In an interview Wednesday at the Capitol, Walz told the Star Tribune that the engagement between his administration and Sanford, the nation's largest rural health care system, has been transparent and candid - even before talk of a merger was floated earlier this month.

"What I can tell you is the new CEO at Sanford, the communication and the relationship with our office is 100 percent different than it used to be," Walz said.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-gov-walz-receptive-to-sanford-fairview-merger-proposal/600231554/