AG Ellison to mediate UMN–M Physicians–Fairview talks; parties resume negotiations
Attorney General Keith Ellison will manage renewed talks among the University of Minnesota, M Physicians and Fairview, with a mutually agreed mediator to be named as the parties resume negotiations. The deal comes as Fairview says it remains committed to a previously announced binding agreement with M Physicians and seeks time-limited talks while M Physicians aims to finalize a clinical agreement by the end of 2025 amid elevated physician departures and the UMN–Fairview contract expiring in 2026; the negotiations follow a University Board of Regents resolution criticizing M Physicians’ $1 billion deal and the university’s removal of Dr. Greg Beilman from a UMN vice‑presidential role over concerns about dual roles.
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📌 Key Facts
- In mid-November the UMN Board of Regents unanimously passed a formal resolution criticizing M Physicians for negotiating a $1 billion funding agreement with Fairview, asserting M Physicians acted “unlawfully,” directing M Physicians to negotiate with the University, and warning of potential implications for how Minnesota trains its doctors.
- UMN removed Dr. Greg Beilman from his interim vice president for clinical operations role on Nov. 19, citing the regents’ resolution and concerns about dual-role leaders; Beilman remains interim CEO of M Physicians and retains his UMN faculty chair and surgical roles.
- Fairview and M Physicians say they executed a binding agreement with a detailed term sheet and aim to reach a definitive clinical agreement by the end of 2025; the current UMN–Fairview deal expires in 2026.
- UMN, Fairview and M Physicians agreed to resume negotiations on the medical school’s future funding, with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison managing the talks and the parties planning to select a mutually agreed-upon mediator soon.
- Fairview says it remains committed to the previously announced “foundational and binding” agreement with M Physicians and wants time-limited discussions that do not revisit settled terms; M Physicians reiterates its intent to complete a definitive clinical agreement with Fairview by the end of 2025.
- Fairview cites urgency for resolution because physician departures from M Physicians are currently nearly 30% higher than average.
- A scheduled Board of Regents meeting on clinical partnership options was canceled after the parties agreed to renewed negotiations; Fairview also owns facilities on the UMN Twin Cities campus, including the teaching hospital, which is a key factor in the talks.
📰 Sources (4)
U, physicians group, Fairview to return to negotiations on medical school
New information:
- UMN, Fairview, and M Physicians agreed Thursday night to resume negotiations on the medical school’s future funding.
- AG Keith Ellison will manage the talks with a mutually agreed-upon mediator to be selected soon.
- Fairview says it remains committed to the previously announced 'foundational and binding' agreement with M Physicians and wants time-limited discussions that don’t revisit settled terms.
- M Physicians states it intends to complete a definitive clinical agreement with Fairview by the end of 2025.
- A scheduled Regents meeting on clinical partnership options was canceled after the parties agreed to renewed negotiations.
- Fairview cites physician departures from M Physicians currently nearly 30% higher than average as an urgency factor.
- Context reiterated: the current U–Fairview deal expires in 2026 and Fairview owns facilities on the UMN Twin Cities campus, including the teaching hospital.
UMN removes doctor from VP post after Fairview deal
New information:
- UMN ended Dr. Greg Beilman’s interim appointment as vice president for clinical operations on Nov. 19.
- Beilman remains interim CEO of M Physicians and keeps his UMN faculty chair and surgical roles.
- UMN said the move follows the Nov. 13 Board of Regents resolution addressing concerns about dual-role leaders and protecting the integrity of ongoing negotiations with M Physicians and Fairview.
- The Regents’ resolution asserted M Physicians acted “unlawfully,” overstepping its authority, and directed M Physicians to negotiate with the University.
- Fairview and M Physicians said last week they executed a binding agreement with a detailed term sheet and aim for a definitive agreement by end of 2025; the current U–Fairview deal expires in 2026.
- M Physicians noted AG Keith Ellison pushed for direct negotiations with Fairview in September.
University of Minnesota regents oppose $1B Fairview/physicians deal
New information:
- UMN Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution criticizing the physician group for negotiating a $1 billion funding agreement with Fairview.
- The resolution escalates the dispute over the pact and signals potential implications for how Minnesota trains its doctors.
- This is a formal board action beyond prior administrative opposition letters.