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