Nurses are calling on Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to take back oversight of Minneapolis-based Hennepin County Medical Center from Hennepin Healthcare System, citing working conditions they say have not improved, according to the Star Tribune.
On April 2, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association and healthcare workers from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs asked that commissioners initiate dissolution of the Hennepin Healthcare System board of directors.
"We find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the very essence of our healthcare system is at risk," Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, RN, MNA co-chair at HCMC, said in a news release.
One point of contention is a change made to employee benefits last year in order to close a budget gap. Employees say the change increased their out-of-pocket costs and will make it harder to recruit and retain staff.
"Behind the walls of statistics and reports lies the profound truth about the human cost of decisions made without empathy, without understanding, and without public transparency," Mr. Olson-Ehlert said. "After months of inaction from hospital leadership, Hennepin County commissioners must use the powers given to them in state statute to take direct control of this critical public health system."
The request comes months after county commissioners placed more oversight on the health system's budget and management decisions. Two Hennepin Healthcare board members resigned after oversight was tightened.
The Hennepin County board oversees Hennepin Healthcare's budget, and commissioners are able to dissolve Hennepin Healthcare and take back control of HCMC and the other health clinics if two-thirds majority of county board members vote to do so, according to the Star Tribune.
Thomas Klemond, MD, HCMC medical staff president, told the newspaper he agrees nurses and other healthcare workers face ongoing challenges, but he expressed concerns that dissolving the Hennepin Healthcare board "would likely make things worse."
Babette Apland, Hennepin Healthcare board chair, said in a statement shared with Becker's that the Hennepin board has "shared goals with all team members and take any concerns seriously. Our conversations with them informs our work as a board."
Ms. Apland also said the health system board was created by the county "to provide the expertise and attention specified in its bylaws. Our health system benefits from the diverse leadership and broad expertise of its community board members. The board includes leaders with experience and a high degree of expertise in healthcare, social services, labor, higher education, and other relevant fields. The health system CEO, physician leaders and two county commissioners also provide valued leadership to the board."
Additionally, she said volunteer board members willingly share their time and talent, and moving away from this leadership "is not in the best interest of Minnesota's largest safety-net healthcare system. The board looks forward to continuing to strengthen its partnership with Hennepin County to support the employees and serve the patients who trust us with their care."