Skip to content

The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce opposes the proposed plan from Allina to move birthing services out of Faribault. Decisions of this magnitude have real impacts on families, employers, workforce recruitment, and our overall community health outcomes. While we understand there are complex pressures within the health care system β€” this direction is not one we support.

On behalf of Faribault businesses, organizations, and our citizens, the Chamber and our Faribault partners will be meeting with Allina to discuss this announcement and do our best to retain these important services within our community.

π’π­πšπ­πžπ¦πžπ§π­ 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐑𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐒𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 & π‚π„πŽ
Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Summary of Allina Health’s Announcement

Allina Health is consolidating labor and delivery services in southern Minnesota, which will result in the closure of the Faribault Birth Center on December 1, 2025.

  • Regional Hub: Labor and delivery services will be consolidated at Owatonna Hospital, which will serve as the regional hub for these services.
  • Reason for Change: This transition is in response to Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to end its agreement to provide on-call labor and delivery coverage at Owatonna Hospital, effective November 17. Allina Health is moving to a regional obstetric care model to prioritize safe, high-quality, and sustainable care, noting that a small team cannot realistically support two birth centers long-term.
  • Challenging Factors: Maintaining rural labor and delivery programs is increasingly difficult due to provider shortages, long recruitment timelines, declining birth volumes, and low reimbursement rates.

Other Service Reductions at Faribault Medical Center

The changes extend beyond labor and delivery and include other services at Faribault Medical Center:

  • Emergency Surgery: Effective December 1, 2025, Faribault Medical Center will no longer provide emergency surgical coverage during evenings and weekends due to limited availability of anesthesia services. Patients requiring emergency surgery during these times will be transferred to Owatonna Hospital or one of Allina Health’s metro locations.
  • Pediatric Inpatient Care: Effective May 7, 2026, Faribault Medical Center will no longer admit pediatric patients due to low volumes. Pediatric patients will continue to be admitted at Owatonna Hospital.

Continuing Outpatient Services

  • Outpatient Care Continues: Outpatient services, including prenatal, postpartum, gynecologic, newborn, and pediatric care, will continue in Faribault. These services will also be offered in Owatonna beginning in early December.
  • Public Process: Allina Health is working with the Minnesota Department of Health, including scheduling a public hearing, and is committed to supporting impacted patients and care team members through this transition.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

Scroll To Top