On Tuesday, the City of Minneapolis unveiled its first-ever Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), a state-of-the-art vehicle that could help bridge gaps in health care access and reduce barriers in underserved communities.
According to a press release from the City of Minneapolis, over $1 million from opioid settlement funds will cover the cost of the new unit, including equipping the vehicle with medical supplies and hiring staff. With a focus on substance use, the MMU could help reduce opioid overdose deaths, increase access to treatment, promote long-term recovery, and expand access to medications for opioid use disorder.
The MMU’s services will encompass other health care needs, too, providing “dignified care in a private, closed space.” The Minneapolis Health Department’s Opioid Response Team will operate the unit, offering essential services like basic health screenings, medication consultation, wound care, vaccinations, mental health counseling, and more.
Courtesy of City of Minneapolis
“Every Minneapolis resident deserves access to health care, no matter where they live,” says Mayor Jacob Frey in the statement. “Our new mobile medical unit is a true game-changer, bringing essential care and resources directly to those in need. With innovative initiatives like this, we’re breaking down barriers and paving the way to recovery.”
The Health Department anticipates the MMU to be fully operational and in the community by early 2025. Its services will be available to anyone in the city, but the unit will be deployed to specific locations where access to care is challenging and needed most.
“For too long, certain communities have faced health disparities and gaps in care,” says Ward Four Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw. “With the launch of the Minneapolis MMU in 2025, we are taking a bold step toward the future of health care in America and as always, Minnesota is at the forefront.”
