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St. Alexius seeks $16 million from state to add inpatient behavioral health beds under House Bill 1468
Summary
Supporters told the House Human Services Committee that House Bill 1468 would provide an appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund construction of an inpatient behavioral health unit at St. Alexius Medical Center, adding 30 new inpatient beds and increasing capacity for adolescent and adult care.
Bismarck — St. Alexius Medical Center and Representative Glenn Bosch told the North Dakota House Human Services Committee that House Bill 1468 would appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to expand inpatient behavioral health capacity in central North Dakota.
Rep. Glenn Bosch, R‑Bismarck, introduced the bill and said the state “does not have an inpatient youth safety net service” and that the state hospital has no adolescent unit. “House Bill 1468 looks to create a partnership with an existing provider to help expand the services that our state is currently lacking,” he said.
The bill would establish a behavioral health facility grant. St. Alexius’ presenters said the hospital would build out a fourth‑floor inpatient behavioral health unit adjacent to its existing unit. Rami Kudruna, chief nurse executive at St. Alexius, told lawmakers the project would create 48 single‑occupancy behavioral health rooms overall — a net increase of 30 beds — and that the hospital is seeking $16,000,000 in capital funding to build the unit. “Saint Alexis is seeking $16,000,000 in funding to build out the 4th floor inpatient behavioral health unit, which would create 48 single occupancy behavioral health rooms, which would be a net increase of 30 beds to our organization,” Kudruna said.
Kudruna and Sister Nancy Miller, director of Mission Integration at St. Alexius, said the request responds to repeated community health needs assessments and a Lifepoint Health analysis that used a Treatment Advocacy Center methodology. Sister Miller said CHNA data “strongly indicates the need for comprehensive behavioral health services” in Bismarck‑Mandan and west‑central North Dakota, and highlighted higher reported rates of youth mental‑health conditions and suicidal ideation.
St. Alexius officials described operational and staffing plans. The hospital currently has 18 inpatient behavioral health rooms and said it can build the additional 30 beds in adjacent space. Kudruna said the $16 million is intended to fund capital construction; St. Alexius would assume start‑up and operational costs. The hospital said it employs a child psychiatrist and is recruiting additional psychiatrists, plans to staff the unit to meet a daily census of 48, and would use a mix of internal hiring and contracted travel/international staff where necessary.
Committee members pressed on scope and timing. Rep. Reid Raymond, president of St. Alexius (speaking as a witness), clarified the hospital’s plan to begin construction once funds are secured: the hospital would front initial construction costs and submit for reimbursement under the proposed grant. Reid Raymond said the hospital would look to begin construction in October of the year funds are provided and estimated a roughly 12‑month build with a goal of opening by September 2026.
Lawmakers also asked whether the proposal targets youth only; witnesses said the hospital would coordinate with the state on bed mix and that preliminary assessments identified both adult and adolescent needs. Rep. Kiefer asked whether the bill was related to the Olmstead decision; Rep. Bosch said he had not framed the project that way and that the proposal came from a provider partnership rather than to comply with that decision.
No formal committee vote or final action on the bill was recorded in the hearing transcript. The committee received supportive testimony from hospital leaders and closed the hearing with no recorded opposition at that time.
