Sen. Franken To Hold Hearing Related to Debt Collection Tactics (Page 107)

Attention MNA Nurses

Hospitals are making record profits despite the economic downturn. One alarming tactic that’s becoming more common is hospital debt collectors posing as health care staff to get payment from patients, sometimes before they’ve ever been treated. You may have seen recent news coverage about Attorney General Lori Swanson’s investigation of Accretive Health, the debt collectors that have been used by both Fairview and North Memorial. This practice raises ethical and legal questions about patient care and privacy.

Now U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) will chair a U.S. Senate field hearing at the Minnesota State Capitol to examine if current federal laws effectively protect patients’ access to care and privacy.  MNA member and National Nurses United Co-President Jean Ross will share her own recent experience taking her family to be treated at a Fairview facility.

MNA supports the stand that Sen. Franken and Attorney General Swanson are taking on behalf of patients. If you believe this kind of behavior disrupts patient care, please attend this hearing.

Here is the statement issued by Sen. Franken’s office:

U.S. Senate Health Committee to Hold Field Hearing at Minnesota State Capitol

Chaired by U.S. Senator Al Franken

Wednesday, May 30 at 10 a.m.

Room 15, Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul 

“Ensuring Patients’ Access to Care and Privacy: Are Federal Laws Protecting Patients?” 

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) will chair a U.S. Senate field hearing at the Minnesota State Capitol to examine if current federal laws effectively protect patients’ access to care and privacy.

Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, arranged for the hearing after Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson issued a report about Chicago-based Accretive Health Inc.’s debt collection and patient privacy practices and whether the company violated federal health, debt collection, and privacy laws. Accretive Health Inc. formerly was a contractor for Fairview Health Services in Minnesota.

The hearing is free and open to the public.

Sen. Franken’s office  651-221-1016

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Attention MNA Nurses

Hospitals are making record profits despite the economic downturn. One alarming tactic that’s becoming more common is hospital debt collectors posing as health care staff to get payment from patients, sometimes before they’ve ever been treated. You may have seen recent news coverage about Attorney General Lori Swanson’s investigation of Accretive Health, the debt collectors that have been used by both Fairview and North Memorial. This practice raises ethical and legal questions about patient care and privacy.

Now U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) will chair a U.S. Senate field hearing at the Minnesota State Capitol to examine if current federal laws effectively protect patients’ access to care and privacy. 
… Read more about: Sen. Franken To Hold Hearing Related to Debt Collection Tactics  »

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

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

  • Eustis out as Fairview CEO: MNA RN Barb Martin talks to the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press about Fairview’s decision to part ways with CEO Mark Eustis in the wake of the hospital system’s ongoing debt collection scandal involving Accretive.

Notes on Nursing

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BREAKING:  Fairview CEO Out in Wake of Debt Collection Furor

HEALTH CARE

Art, Gardens & Basketball Courts -Yes.  Adequate Staff?  No Mention.   The striking new hospital buildings built by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, and Lurie Children’s Hospital, in Chicago spare no funds to promise a luxurious patient experience.  Editor’s note:  The article curiouisly fails to discuss how much investment is put into providing enough professional staff.

How Rivals Built an ACO  The ultimate goal is to reduce healthcare costs and improve care by developing  and refining services that can be scaled and applied to the 300,000  HealthPartners and Allina customers who live in the alliance service area.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, May 24, 2012: Art, gardens & BB Courts, yes / Staffing? No mention  »

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

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

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In: Activism, Labor Unions, Nurses, Politics

One more video from last weekend in Chicago to share – MNA RN Jen Michelson interviewed LIVE on CNN. Love seeing and hearing our everyday RNs talking to the entire nation and sharing their passion and calling with such enthusiasm!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AMsAyJXOY&feature=youtu.be]
… Read more about: 2012 SNA Video: MNA RN Jen Michelson Interviewed Live on CNN  »

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

LABOR

Target Violated Labor Laws; NLRB Calls for New Union Election     An administrative law judge from the National Labor Relations Board has overturned the union election last year at a Target store on New York’s Long Island and ordered a new election citing unfair labor practices.

General Mills Cuts 850 Jobs    General Mills expects the plan to result in total pretax charges of about $109 million, which will cover costs related to workers whose jobs are terminated and equipment.

Barbara Ehrenreich:  A War on Poverty, Indeed    ;Individually, the poor are not all that tempting to thieves.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan – May 22, 2012: NLRB to Target “You Broke the Law;” Patients Not Good at Judging Care  »

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

Nurses

Media all over the country are touting the brave and peaceful action of NNU/MNA in Chicago on Friday as 2,500 nurses rallied in Daley Plaza to demand a Robin Hood tax on Wall Street to pay for health care and education on Main Street.

Health Care

What It’s Like to Be Sick in America  3 of 4 people who were sick said cost is a very serious problem, and half said quality is a very serious problem.  Nearly half of those with recent serious illness say they felt burdened by what they had to pay out of their own pocket for care.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan – May 21, 2012: “Nurses out to save the country;” what it’s like to be sick in America  »