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ST. PAUL 鈥� Negotiations among the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services and Essentia Health will enter a new phase.

The Minnesota Attorney General鈥檚 Office announced on Wednesday it will select a strategic facilitator to explore potential solutions for the future of academic medicine in the state.

Last month, it was not interested in a merger with the other two entities after being invited to discuss a plan to create an 鈥渁ll-Minnesota health system solution.鈥� The would be a $1 billion investment over five years from the university and Essentia.

The university system sought to buy back its teaching hospitals from Fairview as an agreement between the two entities will sunset in 2026.

All three systems have agreed to engage in renewed discussions convened by a strategic facilitator at Attorney General Keith Ellison鈥檚 request, according to a news release.

鈥淕iven the current status of the talks, the time pressure, and the importance of the public interest in getting this right, my office is taking a more active role,鈥� Ellison said in the news release. 鈥淭he parties have tried to find a resolution in the past, and I commend their efforts; these are complicated matters, however.

"Importantly, the parties recognize the importance of these negotiations to the public interest and they welcome the chance for a fresh start," he said. "I am working with the parties to identify a strategic facilitator to aid the parties in finding a resolution and to prioritize the public interest in the parties鈥� negotiations.鈥�

The Attorney General鈥檚 Office will select the strategic facilitator with input from Essentia, Fairview and the U of M. However, the state will not be responsible for financing the facilitator.

The effort is aimed at moderating the discussions among the three entities, establishing communication guidelines, milestones and deadlines, the news release read.

The attorney general claimed the facilitated discussions will focus on public interest, including the stability and sustainability of patient care, employees, academic research and education, the medical workforce, and the overall quality of health care in Minnesota.

As attorney general, Ellison serves as the primary regulator of Minnesota charities. Engaging a strategic facilitator doesn鈥檛 waive his authority to review health care transactions, seek court intervention in cases that aren鈥檛 within the public interest, or enforce federal and state antitrust laws.