FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(St. Paul) – July 13, 2023 – Wednesday, St. Luke’s Hospital announced their intent to merge with Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health. The following is a statement from Larissa Hubbartt and Lorie Olesiak, Minnesota Nurses Association Chairs at St. Luke’s Duluth.
“Since it was founded more than a century ago, St. Luke’s Hospital has been grounded in the community, thanks to the care workers, support staff and other workers who show up every day to give the best care we can to everyone who walks through our doors.
“While nurses have questions any time a hospital system grows larger, as we await further details on this planned partnership, we are pleased to hear that executives at Aspirus Health have pledged to recognize our union and our contract. Whatever name is on the building, nurses will continue to fight for our patients at the bedside and in the community.”
The planned merger of St. Luke’s is the latest in a line of recently-announced plans for Minnesota hospital consolidations. Also in Duluth, Essentia Health announced their desire to merge with Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin. Elsewhere, M Health Fairview and South Dakota-based Sanford Health have announced their intent to merge.
What does this mean for contract nurses and mergers from businesses in a right to work state?
Is there a planned increase of tele health and AI to coincide with these mergers? If yes, what are the protections for the public/community?
Gotta keep an eye on them. Hospitals change policy as fast as the wind changes. And as often.