Fosston ignites new effort to take control of First Care Medical Services from Essentia Health

FOSSTON, Minn. (KVRR) — The City of Fosston is once again trying to terminate its agreement with Essentia Health for services at First Care Medical Services.

In a statement, city leaders say they have filed a motion in Polk County District Court to compel Essentia Health to arbitrate, after they were unsuccessful in resolving the dispute by more informal means.

Last September, an arbitration panel ruled in favor of Essentia in a dispute over its closure of labor and delivery services in 2022.

But the city says it now wants to terminate its agreement on different grounds.

The city believes Essentia has broken promises made during the original 2009 agreement.

The city wants to restore local control of its healthcare facilities and says Essentia does not own First Care Medical Services.