But what's your reaction to this one between health partners and Essentia Health?

pretty much similar to the other mergers there's three points that I always look at and consider especially in this one here you know what's most important is to put patients first one of the challenges and I'm not saying this is going to happen but as organizations get larger traditionally we see customer service failing us again I'm not implying that this will happen here but we do need to put patients first any merger this large should be judged on whether it lowers costs that's customer service improves access because obviously in west central minnesota where i'm at access is always a concern i realize that this merger will affect not just in rural but also across the state in the metro duluth rochester north east south and west but we want to improve access and maintains patient choice so that's one thing that we have to look at um what's really important to me number two because i do represent a large district but also serving as a co-chair i have always continued to do my best to be a strong voice for rural rural minnesota so you know protect health care in greater minnesota you know essential has been a critical provider for greater Minnesota, and obviously we want to make sure that happens.

As mergers happen, there's less focus on local hospitals.

That has always concerned me with Essentia, making sure that they focus outside of the Duluth area, because obviously they've got a big campus in Duluth, but they also have a good campus in the Fargo-Moorhead area and so forth.

So we want to be making sure we protect rural Minnesota.

And then, of course, thirdly is demand accountability.

If health partners and Accenture, if this merger happens, we have to make sure affordability benefits this.

As you're out and about and talking with your constituents, what are they telling you about their concerns over their health care that they're receiving out there in your district?