What is this? The MNA Daily NewsScan is a round up the day’s biggest nursing, health care and organized labor stories. As news unfolds in real-time, we update the NewsScan with new links and info, so check back often!

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

“Money Hungry” Tactics: The Star Tribune pulls the curtain back even further on Fairview’s decision to use debt collectors in the ER.
Hold Up! New study finds that revenue-driven surgery and poor planning often ends up sending patients home too early.

Labor Updates

SEIU Takes Strike Vote: SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members voted overwhelmingly this week to authorize a 2-5 day strike.

MNA Daily NewsScan, May 15, 2012 – Crow Wing RNs Await Results of Civil Law Suit; Nursing Careers and an Aging Population

On: May 15, 2012

In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Labor

Crow Wing County RNs Expect Decision Today on Civil Lawsuit Regarding Unfair Labor Practices The unions reported the lawsuit is not whether the county’s proposal to tie pay to performance is a good idea. “The county’s idea, like all bargaining proposals, should be negotiated,” the unions stated. “The unions’ lawsuit simply asks the court to find that the county must first negotiate the elimination of the current pay structure and not act on its own.”

Twin Cities Hospital Workers Voting Whether to Strike The workers hold a variety of jobs, including nursing assistants, ER techs and maintenance and food service personnel.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, May 15, 2012 – Crow Wing RNs Await Results of Civil Law Suit; Nursing Careers and an Aging Population »

MNA Daily NewsScan: May 14, 2012 – Moyers and DeMoro, MN RNs in Vietnam, Patient Safety and Alphabet Soup

On: May 14, 2012

In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

Patient Safety and Alphabet Soup: RN talks about advocating for patient safety and taking effective action within a hospital system’s framework of “alphabet soup” committees, etc.

Notes on Nursing

Vietnam and Minnesota RNs: Book “Sisterhood of War” chronicles involvement of Minnesota nurses who served during the Vietnam War.

MNA Legislative Update – May 11, 2012

On: May 11, 2012

In: Activism, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

Session Ends

The House adjourned in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and the Senate followed suit on Thursday afternoon. This session, we saw more involvement from MNA nurses on legislative issues than at any other time in recent MNA history. Everyone who reached out to their elected officials, educated their colleagues about the issues, or came to the Capitol should feel proud. Nurses are a respected and influential force at the Capitol because of all of your work.

MNA Priorities

Right to Work: DEFEATED. The tremendous outpouring of opposition from nurses and fellow union members influenced enough DFL and Republican legislators to stop the Right to Work amendment from making it through the legislative process.

MNA Daily NewsScan: May 11, 2012 – Nursing Shortage: Fact or Fiction?

On: May 11, 2012

In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

Debt Collectors in the ER? Story Continues: Under fire, Accretive to release more data today.

Notes on Nursing

Nursing Shortage: Myth or Reality? Minnesota Public Radio explores the issue. Jobs appear to be in short supply now, but experts still predict a nursing shortage of nearly 1 million by 2020.

Update! Speak up to MN Board of Nursing About LPN Scope Expansion

On: May 9, 2012

In: Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics, Uncategorized

SPEAK UP FOR OUR NURSING STANDARDS

The Minnesota Board of Nursing wants to significantly change the Nurse Practice Act to alter Scope of Practice language.

This is NOT a friendly change.

Their proposals reflect a corporate health care employer’s dream to muddy the lines of responsibility between RNs and LPNs – allowing health care facilities to get more work for less money. It also pits our two practices in a fabricated fight that will only result in jeopardizing public safety.

For the sake of your license and the future of nursing, attend an upcoming “listening session” hosted by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
… Read more about: Update! Speak up to MN Board of Nursing About LPN Scope Expansion »

MNA Daily NewsScan: May 9, 2012 – Rahm Against The Machine, Leave Lori Alone and NYT Reporters Speak Out

On: May 9, 2012

In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

Stories we’re scanning:

Health Care

Rahm Emanuel vs. Lori Swanson, Round 1: Unexpected challenge from Chicago’s Mayor to Minnesota’s Attorney General takes center stage in the ongoing Accretive Health investigation, and MNA weighs in via Minnesota Public Radio.
Every Last Penny: Hospitals are suing patients for nominal amounts – even if they are likely to qualify for charity care.

MNA Statement of Support for Attorney General Lori Swanson

On: May 8, 2012

In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Nurses, Politics

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.
… Read more about: MNA Statement of Support for Attorney General Lori Swanson »