Rising state hospital costs charged to Ramsey County
Summary
When a county resident is ready to leave a state hospital but no community placement exists, the county pays the full hospital cost — about $2,400 a day. The county added roughly $2.5 million to its Social Services budget for AMRTC-related costs, which pressures property taxes.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Sep 1, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $2,400 per day per stuck patient, with roughly $2.5 million already added to the county Social Services budget this cycle.
Reducing these stays would ease pressure on county property taxes and free hospital beds for people waiting.
County taxpayers absorb the full cost, and residents waiting for hospital beds are delayed.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Budget Committee of the Whole — September 1, 2026
Only 22% of adult mental health case management referrals get served within the 10-day standard, though demand keeps rising (4,000+ residents served, up from 3,200). State-operated services costs have doubled since 2021 to over $17 million; discharges are often blocked by lack of housing, not clinical need.
Board Workshop / Discussion — May 26, 2026
The state may shift long-term care service costs onto counties. Counties found $122 million in savings, but the state pocketed it for the general fund instead of crediting counties. The fight continues into 2027.
Board Workshop / Discussion — May 5, 2026
When a county resident is ready to leave a state hospital but no community placement exists, the county pays the full hospital cost — about $2,400 a day. The county added roughly $2.5 million to its Social Services budget for AMRTC-related costs, which pressures property taxes.
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