Biopsy pathology exam cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, 86 hospitals publish a cash price for biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV): from $18.05 to $370.44, with a median of $141.92. The lowest price is at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital (Grand Rapids) and 1 other hospital. The highest price is 20.5× the lowest.
- The median here, $141.92, is 17% below the US median of $170.33.
- That is 2.7× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($53.24).
- Minnesota ranks 19th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 4 of 86 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. §144.589): a hospital may not charge an uninsured patient whose household income is under $125,000 more than the lowest amount it would be paid for the same service by a private insurer, counting the insured patient's share. If the cash price below is higher, ask the billing office to apply this limit. Each hospital's page here shows the range of insurer rates in its own file (the "Insurers pay" column), a starting point when you ask. Other states' laws.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 88305. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$18.05Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital + 1 more
Median$141.92half of hospitals charge less
Highest$370.44in Minnesota
Lowest saves$123.87vs the median
Hospitals in Minnesota, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital lowest Grand Rapids · Grand Rapids, MN HC SURG PATH, LEVEL IV TC GICH TO ALLINA OPNP | $18.05 | $42.46 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Range Regional Health Services lowest Hibbing · Duluth, MN-WI HC SURG PATH, LEVEL IV TC GICH TO ALLINA OPNP | $18.05 | $42.46 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital Maplewood · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $18.37 | $45.80 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MUSCLE BIOPSY, NM LAB | $19.47 | $45.80 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Surgical pathology study | $28.60 | $110.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| County of Murray Slayton · Slayton, MN PROSTATE BIOPSY 88305 | $37.70 | $58.00 | Nov 2, 2026 source file |
| Windom Area Hospital Windom · Windom, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $40.12 | $59.00 | Feb 3, 2026 source file |
| Unity Family Healthcare Little Falls · Little Falls, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION (PATH) | $41.76 | $72.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Surgical pathology study | $44.40 | $120.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Faribault Medical Center Faribualt · Faribault-Northfield, MN HCHG CELL BLOCK | $55.27 | $98.70 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CELL BLOCK | $55.27 | $98.70 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CELL BLOCK | $55.27 | $98.70 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Owatonna Hospital Owatonna · Owatonna, MN HCHG CELL BLOCK | $55.27 | $98.70 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Welia Health Mora · Mora, MN HCHG CELL BLOCK | $56.70 | $81.00 | Apr 27, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG TISSUE LEVEL IV | $60.67 | $126.40 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina United Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CELL BLOCK | $60.67 | $126.40 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CELL BLOCK | $60.67 | $126.40 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm · New Ulm, MN HCHG CELL BLOCK | $63.00 | $112.50 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mahnomen Health Center Mahnomen · Mahnomen, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $72.00 | $80.00 | Jul 16, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope | $84.32 | $160.00 | Apr 30, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope | $84.32 | $160.00 | Apr 30, 2026 source file |
| Mille Lacs Health System Onamia · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST | $85.40 | $122.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Hutchinson Hospital Hutchinson · Hutchinson, MN Surgical Pathology study | $85.56 | $186.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Northfield Hospital Northfield · Faribault-Northfield, MN Level IV - Tissue | $86.00 | $205.00 | Apr 16, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health Center Baudette · Baudette, MN TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST | $86.74 | $154.89 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St. Joseph's Area Health Services Park Rapids · Park Rapids, MN TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST | $86.74 | $154.89 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls · Thief River Falls, MN LEVEL 4 GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC 88305.800 | $88.80 | $111.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Level IV Surgical Pathology 1 | $90.00 | $90.00 | May 7, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Medical Center Breckenridge · Wahpeton, ND-MN TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST | $94.49 | $154.89 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Surgical Pathology study | $102.44 | $394.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Perham Health Perham · Fergus Falls, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $104.65 | $161.00 | Feb 1, 2026 source file |
| Olivia Hospital Olivia · Olivia, MN Surgical Pathology study | $105.53 | $173.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby · Canby, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $115.20 | $144.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne · Sioux Falls, SD-MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $128.80 | $161.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Ortonville Area Health Services Ortonville · Ortonville, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $136.00 | $160.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet · Duluth, MN-WI SURG PATH LEVEL IV;GROSS/MICRO | $136.32 | $213.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Meeker County Memorial Hospital Litchfield · Litchfield, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION | $138.24 | $216.00 | Dec 28, 2025 source file |
| Sanford Tracy Hospital Tracy · Marshall, MN PROSTATE BIOPSY 88305.05 | $145.60 | $182.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Westbrook Hospital Westbrook · Westbrook, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $145.60 | $182.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby · Brainerd, MN PR LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $149.26 | $439.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Wheaton Wheaton · Wheaton, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $154.40 | $193.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Ely · Duluth, MN-WI Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $157.14 | $194.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health System Staples · Staples, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $164.30 | $265.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital of Wabasha Wabasha · Rochester, MN SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAM, LEVEL 4 | $174.17 | $286.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bagley Medical Center Bagley · Bagley, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $176.00 | $220.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji · Bemidji, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $176.00 | $220.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes · Detroit Lakes, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $176.55 | $275.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI Fac Surgical Path Level 4 | $180.61 | $332.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Alomere Health Alexandria · Alexandria, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION (PATH) | $189.66 | $327.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Glencoe Regional Health Glencoe · Hutchinson, MN HCHG TISSUE LEVEL 4 TECH ONLY | $196.66 | $196.66 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau · Roseau, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $206.80 | $235.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Madison Hospital Madison · Madison, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION (PATH) | $207.40 | $244.00 | Jun 23, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Ada Ada · Ada, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Deer River Deer River · Grand Rapids, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Fosston Fosston · Grand Forks, ND-MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital Graceville · Graceville, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Moose Lake Moose Lake · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Northern Pines Aurora · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Sandstone Sandstone · Sandstone, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $207.66 | $281.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Aitkin Community Hospital Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC SURG PATH,LEVEL IV - LAB SURG PATH,LEVEL IV | $208.88 | $373.00 | Aug 12, 2026 source file |
| City of Sleepy Eye Sleepy Eye · New Ulm, MN LEVEL 4 SUR PATH/GLOBAL | $210.73 | $635.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Kittson Healthcare Hallock · Hallock, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $218.00 | $218.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| North Valley Health Center Warren · Grand Forks, ND-MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $218.00 | $218.00 | Oct 22, 2026 source file |
| Astera Health Wadena · Wadena, MN Level IV - Surgical Pathology, Gross and Microscopic Examination (Path) | $220.53 | $305.45 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| The Cook Hospital Cook · Duluth, MN-WI TISSUE, LEVEL IV,Technical Component | $222.75 | $337.50 | Aug 10, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Jackson Hospital Jackson · Jackson, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $224.80 | $281.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Virginia Virginia · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $229.22 | $365.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Bigfork Valley Hospital Bigfork · Grand Rapids, MN PATHOLOGY SEND OUT LEV. 4,TECHNICAL COMPONENT | $230.04 | $324.00 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Dawson · Dawson, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION (PATH) | $234.63 | $276.04 | Sep 8, 2026 source file |
| Stevens Community Medical Center Morris · Morris, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $238.50 | $318.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Duluth Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $240.90 | $365.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Children's Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $240.90 | $365.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $240.90 | $365.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd · Brainerd, MN LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION , TECH | $242.28 | $360.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Appleton Area Health Appleton · Appleton, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $266.05 | $313.00 | Jul 7, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus Lake View Hospital Two Harbors · Two Harbors, MN Path Level IV 88305 Initial -Tech-Mh | $273.24 | $332.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Glacial Ridge Hospital Glenwood · Glenwood, MN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $318.92 | $379.67 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center International Falls · International Falls, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $319.72 | $415.21 | May 6, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington · Worthington, MN SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $323.20 | $404.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC SURG PATH,LEVEL IV - LAB SURG PATH,LEVEL IV | $370.44 | $661.50 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 20 | $18.37 | $49.84 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 11 | $18.05 | $207.66 |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 3 | $18.05 | $207.66 |
| Aitkin, MN | 2 | $208.88 | $289.66 |
| Brainerd, MN | 2 | $149.26 | $195.77 |
| Faribault-Northfield, MN | 2 | $55.27 | $70.64 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 2 | $207.66 | $212.83 |
| Hutchinson, MN | 2 | $85.56 | $141.11 |
| New Ulm, MN | 2 | $63.00 | $136.86 |
| Ada, MN | 1 | $207.66 | $207.66 |
| Appleton, MN | 1 | $266.05 | $266.05 |
| Alexandria, MN | 1 | $189.66 | $189.66 |
| Bagley, MN | 1 | $176.00 | $176.00 |
| Baudette, MN | 1 | $86.74 | $86.74 |
| Bemidji, MN | 1 | $176.00 | $176.00 |
| Canby, MN | 1 | $115.20 | $115.20 |
| Dawson, MN | 1 | $234.63 | $234.63 |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 1 | $176.55 | $176.55 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1 | $104.65 | $104.65 |
| Glenwood, MN | 1 | $318.92 | $318.92 |
| Graceville, MN | 1 | $207.66 | $207.66 |
| Hallock, MN | 1 | $218.00 | $218.00 |
| International Falls, MN | 1 | $319.72 | $319.72 |
| Jackson, MN | 1 | $224.80 | $224.80 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1 | $138.24 | $138.24 |
| Little Falls, MN | 1 | $41.76 | $41.76 |
| Madison, MN | 1 | $207.40 | $207.40 |
| Mahnomen, MN | 1 | $72.00 | $72.00 |
| Mora, MN | 1 | $56.70 | $56.70 |
| Morris, MN | 1 | $238.50 | $238.50 |
| Marshall, MN | 1 | $145.60 | $145.60 |
| Olivia, MN | 1 | $105.53 | $105.53 |
| Ortonville, MN | 1 | $136.00 | $136.00 |
| Owatonna, MN | 1 | $55.27 | $55.27 |
| Park Rapids, MN | 1 | $86.74 | $86.74 |
| Roseau, MN | 1 | $206.80 | $206.80 |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $174.17 | $174.17 |
| Sandstone, MN | 1 | $207.66 | $207.66 |
| Slayton, MN | 1 | $37.70 | $37.70 |
| Staples, MN | 1 | $164.30 | $164.30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 1 | $128.80 | $128.80 |
| Thief River Falls, MN | 1 | $88.80 | $88.80 |
| Two Harbors, MN | 1 | $273.24 | $273.24 |
| Wadena, MN | 1 | $220.53 | $220.53 |
| Westbrook, MN | 1 | $145.60 | $145.60 |
| Wheaton, MN | 1 | $154.40 | $154.40 |
| Windom, MN | 1 | $40.12 | $40.12 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 1 | $94.49 | $94.49 |
| Worthington, MN | 1 | $323.20 | $323.20 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What biopsy pathology exam is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Biopsy pathology exam explained.
Biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV) in other states
- Alabama$168.00
- Alaska$290.06
- Arizona$85.96
- Arkansas$77.39
- California$130.00
- Colorado$496.64
- Connecticut$218.35
- Delaware$381.35
- District of Columbia$353.47, 3 hospitals
- Florida$116.24
- Georgia$84.07
- Hawaii$254.80
- Idaho$219.75
- Illinois$245.00
- Indiana$259.15
- Iowa$178.10
- Kansas$218.25
- Kentucky$119.60
- Louisiana$84.96
- Maine$139.68
- Maryland$172.46
- Massachusetts$171.50
- Michigan$109.10
- Mississippi$80.60
- Missouri$197.90
- Montana$201.60
- Nebraska$196.80
- Nevada$74.33
- New Hampshire$263.14
- New Jersey$97.92
- New Mexico$206.00
- New York$152.88
- North Carolina$178.80
- North Dakota$123.22
- Ohio$203.45
- Oklahoma$132.00
- Oregon$197.60
- Pennsylvania$169.20
- Puerto Rico$140.00, 1 hospital
- Rhode Island$111.30
- South Carolina$190.80
- South Dakota$161.20
- Tennessee$75.45
- Texas$296.13
- Utah$485.46
- Vermont$261.69
- Virginia$217.80
- Washington$168.90
- West Virginia$108.67
- Wisconsin$215.80
- Wyoming$98.19
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.