PeaceHealth ER Staffing Dispute Escalates: Lawsuit Filed by Eugene Emergency Physicians
Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP), along with Dr. Dan McGee and Jane Stapleton, have filed a lawsuit against PeaceHealth, ApolloMD, ApolloMD Business Services, and Lane Emergency Physicians, seeking to halt changes to emergency department staffing in Lane County, Oregon. The lawsuit alleges violations of state law and raises concerns about the quality of emergency care in the region.
Background: The Shift to ApolloMD
The legal action stems from PeaceHealth’s decision, announced in early February, to transition away from its long-standing contract with EEP and instead contract with ApolloMD, a Georgia-based medical staffing company. This decision sparked immediate backlash from healthcare workers, community members, and Oregon lawmakers.
Allegations of Violating Oregon Law
EEP argues that PeaceHealth’s move violates Oregon’s corporate practice of medicine doctrine, which prohibits management services organizations from controlling medical decisions. The lawsuit claims that the arrangement between PeaceHealth and ApolloMD does not comply with this law. EEP stated that PeaceHealth and ApolloMD “are doing neither” in terms of complying with Oregon law and preserving quality, locally-controlled emergency care services. According to EEP, they were not given a clear opportunity to address any concerns before the contract was terminated.
Concerns from Oregon Governor Kotek
The dispute has also drawn the attention of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, who has urged PeaceHealth to delay the transition by six months to allow regulators time to review its compliance with state law. Kotek expressed concerns about the potential loss of experienced physicians and the impact on healthcare access in Lane County, particularly following the closure of PeaceHealth’s University District emergency room in 2023.
What EEP Hopes to Achieve
The lawsuit seeks to void the contract between PeaceHealth and ApolloMD, prevent ApolloMD from operating in Oregon, and reinstate EEP’s staffing contract. EEP has staffed PeaceHealth’s Lane County emergency departments for the past 35 years.
PeaceHealth’s Response
PeaceHealth has declined to comment on the pending litigation, stating that its focus remains on ensuring continuity of emergency services and providing high-quality care. In a statement, PeaceHealth said it could not comment at this time due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Next Steps
The filing of EEP’s lawsuit represents the first major legal challenge to Senate Bill 951’s restrictions on the corporate practice of medicine in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Justice have been tasked with assessing the law’s enforcement mechanisms. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of healthcare staffing in Oregon.
The post PeaceHealth Lawsuit: Eugene Doctors Sue Over ER Contract with ApolloMD appeared first on Archynewsy.