Fighting for Our Lives; AFSCME Stands Against Rural Healthcare Cuts

Fighting for Our Lives: AFSCME Stands Against Rural Healthcare Cuts

In Hibbing, Minnesota, union members, retirees, and community allies stood shoulder to shoulder in support of something that should never be up for debate: access to healthcare no matter your zip code.

AFSCME Council 5 and 65, Retirees, and other union members held a powerful press conference to speak out against the reckless Medicaid cuts recently passed by Congress—cuts that directly threaten the survival of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes across Minnesota. At the heart of this fight is Fairview Range Medical Center, a lifeline for thousands in the Iron Range, now facing possible closure as a direct result of these cuts.

This is not just a policy disagreement. This is a crisis. These cuts are dangerous. They are devastating. And they will cost people's lives.

When rural hospitals shut their doors, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a matter of life and death. Every minute counts when your child is struggling to breathe, when your parent suffers a heart attack or stroke, or when a car crash sends someone to the ER. With closures coming soon, more Minnesotans will be forced to travel farther for care, facing longer wait times and increased risks.

And for the frontline healthcare workers, many of whom are proud union members, these closures mean pink slips—not because they failed to do their jobs, but because Congress failed to protect them.

At the press conference, Mike Larson, AFSCME Local 1426, Council 5 President and a Transportation Generalist Senior with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, delivered powerful remarks:

“Our communities rely on workers showing up every single day to care for others, keep us safe, and provide critical core services that improve our lives. When hospitals and clinics close, we’re not just losing a building—we’re losing emergency care, we’re losing jobs, and we’re losing hope. We will not accept this.”

Also speaking was Sandy Wallin, a former longtime Local 66, Council 5 activist and current Chair of the Northeast Retirees Chapter, who reminded us that these closures don't just harm working families—they hit retired Minnesotans the hardest.

“Our seniors and retirees—many of whom built and served these communities—will now have to travel hours for routine care. That is simply unacceptable. We deserve better.”

We were also joined by local government officials, including Hibbing Mayor Pete Hyduke and St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich who spoke to the effects this will have on our communities and highlighted this is not a partisan political issue, this is about our neighbors and communities. 

AFSCME Council 5 members are not staying silent while decision-makers gamble with our lives and livelihoods. We are sounding the alarm. We are organizing. And we are demanding that Congress reverse these harmful cuts before more damage is done. Under our union's nationwide #AFSCMEGO campaign, we are continuing to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes that directly affect our members' lives - no matter their political party. 

But we’re not just fighting for our union members—we’re also fighting for every Minnesotan who lives in a rural community, every nurse, clerical worker, and dietary aide who keeps our care centers running, and every family who depends on local healthcare in their most vulnerable moments.

This is the moment to rise. To stand up. To say no more.

We will keep fighting—loudly, proudly, and in solidarity—because our communities are worth it. We are AFSCME Strong!