Hospital Safety Net Grant Program

The Hospital Safety Net Grant Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) under statutory authority granted by Minnesota Statutes Section 145.929. This funding initiative supports licensed hospitals in Minnesota that provide high-cost services to Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) enrollees. The goal of the program is to help defray the financial burden hospitals face from underpayments for qualifying services to this vulnerable population. EMA serves individuals in emergency medical situations who meet certain eligibility criteria but are not enrolled in traditional Medicaid programs, and the grant program is designed to partially reimburse hospitals for significant expenses incurred while delivering such care. The program offers approximately $1,315,000 per fiscal year, subject to legislative appropriation, for a two-year grant period from June 30, 2025 through June 29, 2027. Funding distribution is proportional and formula-based, determined by each applicant hospital’s share of qualifying EMA claims that exceed $50,000 between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Only licensed Minnesota hospitals that serve EMA enrollees and submit qualifying claims are eligible for the grant. Ineligible expenses include lobbying, political contributions, taxes (with some exceptions), indirect costs, bad debts, and other restricted categories. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by April 11, 2025, and full applications are due by May 9, 2025. All submissions must be made through the ORHPC Grants Portal. The LOI must include organization information, uploaded EMA claims data, and a conflict of interest disclosure. The main application consists of a work plan and detailed budget justification outlining how requested funds will offset the cost of treating EMA patients. Application materials must be complete; late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Evaluation of applications is formula-driven, with no competitive scoring. Each eligible hospital that submits valid claims will receive a funding share proportional to its EMA claims relative to the total claims pool. Notifications of award amounts will be sent by April 29, 2025. Although collaboration is not required, applicants are expected to fully disclose any organizational changes, mergers, or legal modifications that could affect eligibility. Recipients must comply with all applicable state laws, including non-discrimination, affirmative action, and financial accountability standards. Grantees are required to submit semi-annual financial and progress reports and participate in at least one monitoring visit during the grant period. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis every six months, contingent upon timely submission of required documentation. For more information or technical assistance, applicants may contact Bekah Ehlebracht, Primary Care Programs Administrator, via email at health.SafetyNetGrants@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-201-3780.

Clearly align the budget narrative with specific EMA-related costs. Ensure accuracy in EMA claim amounts to optimize funding share. Submit all required forms on time to avoid disqualification.