Officials oppose Jackson's proposed privatization

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Miami-Dade County officials are teaming up to fight against a proposed change to privatize Jackson Hospital's emergency room services.

It is being called privatization of the ER at Jackson Memorial Hospital. However, Jackson said, the hospital will remain in control if they move forward a plan to out-source ER doctors and nurse practitioners.

Jackson said about 29 ER doctors could be affected as well as 16 full-time nurse practitioners and about nine part-time employees. This is the concern for many employees who may lose their jobs if a private company brings their own employees to work at the ER at Jackson Memorial Hospital. "The attempt of Jackson's management to privatize and change the mission of our public health care delivery system is a shame," said Martha Baker, RN.

However, another concern, according to the firefighters, police department unions and unions representing the nurses is access to health care and the quality of care that patients might receive at the ER.

Jackson Memorial Hospital said it will continue to give the same quality of care for everybody who comes through their doors. "The people that were served at Jackson yesterday and the people that are served at Jackson today, they will be served tomorrow," said Jackson Health System Spokesperson Ed O'Dell. "Anything that happens, and this is still a big if, anything that happens will still be under the direction, not a private company, the direction of Jackson Health System's Clinical Staff and executive management."

Jackson said the reason they are looking into these options is because they are in the midst of a restructuring at the hospital and are trying to make it more efficient.

There is no time line for the final decision. As of right now, the ER and the rape center, which could also be affected, is still in control of Jackson Memorial Hospital.

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