By: Marion Renault

Fairview Health Services, which controls the University of Minnesota Medical Center and clinics, could be taken over by South Dakota-based Sanford Health.

The possible takeover has not yet been formally announced, but Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson told the Star Tribune that the talks are in advanced stages.

Swanson said Tuesday she will host several public hearings at the state Capitol starting April 7 concerning the proposed acquisition.

 “I am troubled by the notion that a small group of people at Fairview and Sanford would conduct private discussions without the benefit of the public’s input regarding a matter of such sweeping consequences for Minnesota when it comes to control of the University health system, the quality of health care for our patients, and our State’s economy and international prestige,” she said in a news release.

Swanson said she was concerned about the possibility of the University’s teaching and research hospital being put under the control of an out-of-state company.

The University’s Medical school educates 70 percent of the state’s physicians.

 “There was over one year of public debate before Fairview … took control of the University of Minnesota Medical Center in 1997,” Swanson said in the release. “There should be robust public discussion and input now too.”