NEW ULM, MN – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) hosted a roundtable discussion in Austin with local health care providers, law enforcement, county officials, and mental health advocates to discuss his legislation, the Restoring Inpatient Mental Health Access Act of 2025, and the urgent need to expand access to inpatient mental health care in southern Minnesota.
During the roundtable, the Congressman discussed repealing Medicaid’s Institution for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion, an outdated federal policy that blocks funding for inpatient psychiatric facilities with more than 16 beds. He highlighted how this arbitrary cap strains counties, law enforcement, and hospitals, and limits timely access to mental health care.
“For too long, outdated federal policy has prevented individuals in crisis from accessing the care they truly need,” said Rep. Finstad. “Hearing directly from providers, county officials, law enforcement, and those on the front lines of responding to mental health emergencies underscores the urgent need for action. By removing the IMD exclusion, we can expand access to appropriate inpatient treatment, ease the burden on emergency rooms and first responders, and give families hope during some of their most difficult moments.”
Olmsted County Commissioner David Senjem gave his remarks on the issue: “Thank you Representative Finstad for advancing this extremely important legislative initiative aimed at helping individuals seriously afflicted with mental illness. We know from decades of experience that outpatient, community-based, treatment is not sufficient for every individual in every circumstance leading too often to a life of hopelessness, despair, and homelessness. Lifting the IMD exclusion will give many individuals across Minnesota and America the necessary inpatient treatment needed for a new lease on life and brighter days ahead.”
Read more about the Restoring Inpatient Mental Health Access Act of 2025 here.
