MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Sam Fettig
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org
Lauren Nielsen
(o) 651-414-2862
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org
While nurses support more mental health beds, for-profit Acadia Healthcare has a concerning track record on patient and staff safety, financial mismanagement, greed, and fraud
(St. Paul) – June 8, 2022 – This Thursday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m., M Health Fairview nurses, along with the Minnesota Nurses Association, will join other community members to testify to concerns with the proposed partnership between the Minnesota hospital system and Acadia Healthcare, a for-profit corporation with a concerning track record on patient and staff safety, and financial mismanagement, greed, and fraud.
While MNA nurses understand the need for additional mental healthcare beds, nurses have grave concerns about the track record of Acadia, the for-profit company M Health Fairview has selected to operate this new facility. Background information on Acadia’s dismal record can be found in the following research memo:
In addition to Acadia’s dangerous track record, nurses have questioned the decision of M Health Fairview executives to close multiple facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting care for patients and employment for healthcare workers, only to construct new facilities later on. These executives include CEO James Hereford, who received a 90 percent raise in 2019, bringing his total compensation to $3.6 million in that year.
The hearing will be held by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to solicit public input and comments on the proposed new facility. Additional information on the hearing is included below.
- When: Thursday, June 9, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
- Where: MDH WebEx online hearing– access information here
- Who: M Health Fairview nurses and community members
- What: Public hearing on proposed M Health Fairview—Acadia Healthcare facility
- Why: To raise concerns over Acadia’s dangerous track record for patients and workers
HOORAY!!! I attended the virtual hearing on the closure of St. Joe’s and the Bethesda issue came up. I had done some reading about “Acadia Health” and was glad to hear that others had been looking into it as well. It’s not the outfit I would choose to welcome into our community!