Public Hearing on Alomere Health Transition to Nonprofit

Members of the public attended a hearing this morning regarding the transition of Alomere Health to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners held the meeting to ensure residents had an opportunity to hear directly from them and had a chance to share their opinion. The comments came after Tom Schroeder, the attorney hired by the county, explained the details of the transition which is designed to reduce the county’s liability and enhance and strengthen healthcare options in the future. 

Schroeder methodically presented the law that allows this transition, how the new nonprofit will be run, and the terms of the lease that protect the county financially.

He said this is a well-thought-out agreement that permits the county to continue to own the health systems land and buildings and lease them to the nonprofit which will keep the name Alomere Health. Two county commissioners will retain seats on the new board.

Alice Dorsher told the board she moved to Alexandria from North Dakota ten years ago and she is very pleased with the medical services here. She says she has great doctors; a great referral service, and the staff know her even though she’s relatively new to the area. She said her major concern is this transition is a ploy for a takeover by large entities that she doesn’t think much of.  Commissioner Charlie Meyer thanked her for her input and said he believes the transition is a way to maintain our healthcare independence and the county and the new nonprofit have no desire to be part of a bigger system.

Board Clerk Lenae Roeser read a letter submitted by the Minnesota Nurses Association and the nurses who provide care at Alomere Health that addressed continuity of their negotiated working terms. They asked that the agreement “recognize the union and honor the existing collective bargaining agreements”.  

Cal Anderson expressed his hope that if a takeover was ever offered, the residents of the county would get to vote rather than just the board.

The agreement, as explained by Schroeder, does cover both future growth of the nonprofit and a requirement for it to re-employ employees with industry competitive benefits. Schroeder said that means nobody loses their job.

The agreement is set to go into effect January 1, 2026.