FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. PAUL (May 8, 2012) – The President of the Minnesota Nurses Association issued an official statement of support today for Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson and her ongoing investigation of Accretive Health.
“On behalf of our 20,000 nurses, I want to thank Lori Swanson for ignoring political pressure and corporate influence and continuing to stand up for the patients we care for,” Hamilton said. “What Accretive is doing seems to be the epitome of the ‘profits-before-patients’ type of health care delivery that needs to stop, and we’re grateful Attorney General Swanson is having none of it.”
Earlier today, news reports detailed how Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the unusual move of publicly pressuring Attorney General Swanson’s office to “back off” its ongoing investigation of Accretive, which began in April 2012. Swanson’s office recently released a six-volume report detailing how Accretive employees allegedly pressured and harassed vulnerable patients and their families for payments before, during and after receiving Emergency Room care, cancer treatments other medical services inside Twin Cities hospitals.
“The fact that Accretive has moved to brazenly and openly using powerful politicians like Mayor Emanuel to try and interfere on its behalf in a criminal investigation outside of his city and state is hard to fathom,” Hamilton said. “We’re proud to see Attorney General Swanson standing her ground and speaking up for the Minnesota patients and families who suffered during these alleged incidents. She’s a true champion for our patients.”
Founded in 1905, the Minnesota Nurses Association represents more than 20,000 nurses in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. MNA is also a founding member of National Nurses United, which represents more than 170,000 RNs across the country.