North Memorial closures, layoffs latest symptom of corporate greed crisis in our healthcare system (Page 7)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.orgLauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Cuts by North Memorial executives will leave vulnerable patients at risk because they cannot pay more     

(St. Paul) – March 20, 2024 – Today, North Memorial Health executives announced their intent to close mental health services and the neonatal intensive care unit in Robbinsdale and to lay off more than 100 hospital employees, including many Registered Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and other healthcare workers.

The following is a statement from the Minnesota Nurses Association:

“While the full scope of the closures ordered by North Memorial executives is not yet clear, these callous cuts will leave thousands of vulnerable Minnesotans at risk. To blame patients who cannot pay more for the vital care they need only underscores the true interests and motivations of these executives: the bottom line and the highest-paying customers, like those at North Memorial’s wealthier suburban campus.
 
“These layoffs are devastating for the nurses and other healthcare workers dedicated to this community, but it is ultimately patients who will suffer. These closures by North Memorial executives follow a clear pattern: close services that do not make enough money – especially birth and newborn care and mental health – in the most at-need communities who cannot afford to pay more and who lack easy access to alternative options for care.
 
“This pattern can be seen in the recent closures by Allina Health executives of pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, adolescent mental health services at United hospital in St. Paul, and labor and delivery services at Regina Hospital in Hastings. North Memorial executives are reading from the same corporate playbook.
 
“When hospital executives plead poverty, it is not for lack of millions in revenues made from patient bills and medical debts that climb higher every year. It is a question of priorities. And with more than $15 million for compensation to executives and top employees but nothing for sick infants and those needing mental health services in Robbinsdale, North Memorial executives have made their priorities clear.”

This year at the state legislature, MNA nurses seek passage of the Healing Greed Agenda, a legislative package to hold hospital executives accountable to patients, the public, and healthcare workers. The agenda includes a proposal to require more prior notice when executives slate a hospital for closure or propose service reductions, unit closures, healthcare consolidations, or other related changes. The bill would require at least one public hearing to be held in the community affected by a planned closure or consolidation, as well as strict fines for hospitals that violate the law.

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In: Corporate Healthcare, Healing Greed, Home, layoffs, North Memorial, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.orgLauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Cuts by North Memorial executives will leave vulnerable patients at risk because they cannot pay more     

(St. Paul) – March 20, 2024 – Today, North Memorial Health executives announced their intent to close mental health services and the neonatal intensive care unit in Robbinsdale and to lay off more than 100 hospital employees, including many Registered Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and other healthcare workers.

The following is a statement from the Minnesota Nurses Association:

“While the full scope of the closures ordered by North Memorial executives is not yet clear, these callous cuts will leave thousands of vulnerable Minnesotans at risk.
… Read more about: North Memorial closures, layoffs latest symptom of corporate greed crisis in our healthcare system  »

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In: Corporate Healthcare, Healing Greed, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org
MNA-backed bills to put patient needs before corporate greed will be heard in House, Senate committees  
(St. Paul) – March 13, 2024 – Tomorrow, Thursday, March 14, 2024, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) will turn out at the State Capitol to testify for hearings on legislation from the “Healing Greed Agenda,” a nurse-backed plan to put patient needs before corporate greed in our hospitals. Legislation from the agenda continues to advance at the state legislature, following hearings in House and Senate committees earlier this week.
… Read more about: Nurses to turn out and testify as “Healing Greed Agenda” advances this week  »

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In: Allina, Corporate Healthcare, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig, MNA
612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Josh Keller, SEIU MN
612-270-2984
jkeller@seiumn.org

Marisa Powell Zengin, Doctors Council
646-599-6038
mrpdoctorscouncil@gmail.com

Planned closures of ICU and pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital and Unity Campus follow a pattern of corporate priorities by Allina executives 
(St. Paul) – March 13, 2024 – Community members, healthcare providers and workers with the Doctors Council, Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA), and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa today raised the alarm on the devastating impact on patients, workers, and the community of Allina executives’ planned closures at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley and Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
… Read more about: Healthcare providers, workers sound alarm on impact of Allina corporate closures to patients, community  »

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In: Action, Corporate Healthcare, Home, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

MNA-backed bills to put patient needs before corporate greed will be heard in House, Senate committees  
(St. Paul) – March 11, 2024 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) will turn out at the State Capitol to testify for hearings on legislation moving forward from the “Healing Greed Agenda,” a nurse-backed plan to put patient needs before corporate greed in our hospitals.

Healthcare in Minnesota used to be about taking care of each other.
… Read more about: Nurses to turn out and testify for “Healing Greed Agenda”  »

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In: Day On the Hill, Home, Keith Ellison, Legislative Policy, Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org
Nurses will also turn out and testify at a House Health Committee hearing and will join striking nursing home workers for a rally on the Capitol steps 
(St. Paul) – March 4, 2024 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) will hold their annual Day on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol, calling on legislators to take action on the “Healing Greed Agenda,” a set of bills moving forward at the legislature that would put patient needs before corporate greed in our healthcare system.
… Read more about: Attorney General Ellison to kick off MNA Day on the Hill as nurses call for action to put patient needs before corporate greed in hospitals  »

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In: Duluth, Essentia, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(Duluth) – March 1, 2024 – St. Luke’s announced today that the health system has finalized its affiliation with Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health. The following is a statement from Larissa Hubbartt, RN, and Sierra Dyer, RN, Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) Chairs at St. Luke’s Duluth.

“We are hopeful about this affiliation between St. Luke’s and Aspirus. Their commitment to preserving local decision-making reflects a shared dedication to community-centered care, and to the mission of St. Luke’s nurses to put the Patient Above All Else.
… Read more about: Statement on St. Luke’s Affiliation with Aspirus Health  »

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In: Home, Mental Health, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org
MNA applauds MDH for protecting public interest in Minnesota for patients, workers and communities
(St. Paul) – March 1, 2024 – Nurses at the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) applaud the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for listening to patients, workers, and community members and putting patient needs ahead of corporate greed with their ruling that the for-profit Nobis Rehabilitation is not in the public interest.

In January, MNA submitted a letter to MDH in opposition to the for-profit hospital proposal, writing in part: “Every day, nurses confront the ongoing staff shortages in our hospitals and experience firsthand the mental health crisis in our state.
… Read more about: Nurses celebrate denial of corporate for-profit care in Minnesota  »

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In: Duluth, Essentia, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.orgLauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Nurses win union election; will bargain collectively for better patient care and nurse working conditions

(St. Paul) – February 29, 2024 – Nurses at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic 2nd Street today celebrated a unanimous vote to form a union, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA). Nurses filed for election in late January and cast their ballots today.

“We are excited to be union nurses and to gain a voice in our workplace so that we can continue to provide high-quality, safe patient care,” said Holly Swedberg, a Registered Nurse at Duluth Clinic 2nd Street.
… Read more about: Nurses at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic 2nd Street Vote Unanimously for Union with MNA  »

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In: Allina, Home, Press Releases, Unions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Nurses seek a seat at the table amid corporate healthcare closures, to protect care and working conditions for nurses and patients  

[WATCH] Newly organized nurses held a livestream today to celebrate their union vote. Watch here. (St. Paul) – February 29, 2024 – Nurses employed at the Allina Health Cancer Institute (AHCI) Wednesday celebrated the overwhelming vote of nurses there to join together in a union, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA).
… Read more about: Allina Health Cancer Institute nurses vote overwhelmingly for union with MNA  »

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In: Allina, Corporate Healthcare, Home, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

Latest consolidation underscores need to hold executives accountable to patient needs, not corporate greed  

(St. Paul) – February 13, 2024 – Today, Allina Health executives announced their plan to close Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley, and to close pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. In a letter delivered to the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) today, Allina executives stated their intent to lay off 63 MNA full-time equivalent (FTE) Registered Nurse positions at Unity Campus by June of this year as a result of these closures.
… Read more about: Allina executives continue corporate assault on patient care access with closures at Mercy Hospital and Unity Campus  »