BREAKING: As a former health insurance exec, I know the health industry puts profits over the public, even in a crisis. But this is mind-boggling: Beaumont, the largest & wealthiest health system in Michigan, recently closed its hospital in Wayne, Michigan during #COVID19. (1/7)
The hospital served 50,000 patients in the community, has been around since 1956 & served generations. Now? It’s closing during a major health crisis to pad corporate profits. That’s furloughing 2,400+ employees & permanently eliminating about 450 jobs. And there’s more... (2/7)
CEO John Fox recently got a 82% raise to boost his comp to $5.6 million. Meanwhile, thanks to #COVID19, millions of Americans have lost their jobs & millions more are paid so little they live paycheck to paycheck. And now their access to medical care is being eliminated. (3/7)
Beaumont now says it's reopening for "limited services” & hiring back 40 f/t workers (out of thousands removed) to provide ER services. That's not enough to staff an ER. Folks will be overworked & take on roles outside their certifications. It’s essentially a walk-in clinic. 4/7
At times of crisis, wealthy corporations like Beaumont should show leadership, look past their bottom lines & take care of workers. Anyone laid off by Beaumont should be hired back. It’s morally reprehensible to outsource work in a time of crisis. (5/7)
I know from the inside that the private health industry won't put healthcare & financial support for workers over executive pay, shareholders or profits. The government must make sure every emergency relief package or bailout prioritizes workers & working families first. (6/7)
Ultimately, the lesson is simple: In this global health crisis, Americans are suffering medically & financially. And the private industries claiming to “help” us are raking in record profits. It’s time to stop relying on for-profit corporations for healthcare in America. (/END.)
