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Essentia Health, Minnesota Business Partnership convene lawmakers ahead of legislative session
December 11, 2025 By: Anthony Matt
On Wednesday, Essentia Health and the Minnesota Business Partnership (MBP) hosted a bipartisan group of lawmakers representing districts across the state at St. Mary's Medical Center ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman led a tour of the hospital and discussed the role of nonprofit health care and how lawmakers can help ensure rural and Tribal communities have access to high quality care.
This fall, MBP launched a new “HQExperience” program, a coordinated initiative that connects legislators directly with companies headquartered in Minnesota to demonstrate how policy decisions translate into economic impact. Today’s visit is the first to a health system and to a headquarters based outside of the Twin Cities.
“As a nonprofit health system and national leader in value-based health care, Essentia is proud to call Duluth home,” said Dr. David Herman. “As a major employer, dedicated community partner and the region’s only Level I trauma center, we invest in the health and economic strength of the communities we serve. We look forward to continue partnering with state lawmakers to strengthen health care, support the next generation of health care workers and explore new ways to ensure all Minnesotans have sustainable access to high-quality care close to home.”
Essentia Health and MBP hosted Senators Mark Koran (R-North Branch) and Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) and Representatives Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley), Nathan Nelson (R-Hinckley), Natalie Zeleznikar (R-Hermantown), Cal Warwas (R-Clinton Township) and John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
“Essentia Health shows the vital role Minnesota-headquartered companies play in communities across our state,” said Kurt Zellers, CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership. “This visit gave legislators a firsthand look at how policy decisions impact access to quality health care for rural and Tribal communities. By connecting lawmakers directly with the business leaders and frontline operations that drive our economy, we’re building the relationships and understanding needed to keep Minnesota competitive.”
During the tour, Essentia Health, MBP and legislators discussed topics related to workforce development, affordability and safety.
Earlier this fall, Essentia Health announced findings from a third-party economic impact report that outlined the positive economic and community benefits Essentia brings to the communities it serves. The report found that Essentia drives over $4.5 billion in annual economic activity and supports nearly 15,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the Twin Ports area. Across the 19 Minnesota counties where Essentia operates, those figures are $5.8 billion and over 18,700 jobs, respectively.
