Sen. Al Franken plans to investigate Accretive Health Inc., a contractor of Fairview Hospital. that allegedly broke federal health, debt collection and privacy laws during attempts to outstanding debts.
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson released a report this week that accused Accretive Health of designing high-pressure tactics in emergency rooms, cancer units and delivery wards to collect money before they were treated, as detailed in this Star Tribune story. Several doctors complained that the collections strategy might discourage patients from seeking medical care.
"If these allegations are true -- and I do want to hear all sides of this story -- they would be an affront to the health, privacy and dignity of Minnesotans," Franken said in a statement.
The Democratic senator plans to investigate the allegations in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law and a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Here's a copy of the letter Franken sent to Accretive Health CEO Mary Tolan:
