Workers told to get flu shot or work elsewhere
TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — A major northern Michigan health care group has issued an ultimatum for employees: Get a flu shot by Dec. 31 or get fired.
Munson Healthcare, which includes its flagship Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, says individual rights must be sacrificed for the welfare of patients whose health could be threatened if exposed to flu.
Medical Center chief operating officer Kathleen McManus tells the Traverse City Record-Eagle that officials decided to make it mandatory because voluntary compliance has never topped 65 percent.
“The people we serve here are very sick,” McManus said. “And I will not put a patient at risk.”
But some employees are up in arms over baring an arm.
About 50 turned out for a recent meeting of Michigan Opposing Mandatory Vaccines, a group that promotes vaccine choice.
Employees also circulated petitions and hope to get the community behind them.
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AG plans review of Blue Cross Medicaid deal
LANSING (AP) — Attorney General Bill Schuette says his office is reviewing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s plans for a joint venture involving a Medicaid coverage company.
The Detroit-based Blue Cross and Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross are purchasing AmeriHealth Mercy, which has Medicaid managed-care contracts in states including Pennsylvania, Indiana, and South Carolina.
Schuette says he wants the Blue Cross to provide his office with documentation related to the transaction.
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Couple punished in crossing guard attack
LANSING (AP) — Two parents charged in an attack on a Lansing school crossing guard who tried to stop a fight have been sentenced to jail and probation.
Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. says it’s “another reason” why some families don’t like sending their children to Lansing schools.
Darrell Livingston and wife Shareka McKinney say they drove their 6-year-old son to a bus stop to fight a bully.
Crossing guard James Thompson, 73, was punched and suffered a chipped tooth when he tried to intervene during the incident.
He pulled out a small knife to defend himself.
The Lansing State Journal says Livingston was sentenced recently to 60 days in jail. McKinney was cleared of assault but convicted of another charge. She’ll avoid jail if she completes probation.
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Settlement approved in teen stun gun death
BAY CITY (AP) — The family of a 15-year-old boy who died after a Bay City police officer used a stun gun on him in 2009 is getting a share of a $1 million settlement.
The Bay City Times reports that U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Ludington signed an order for disbursement of the settlement to four of Brett Elder’s family members and the family’s attorneys.
The lawsuit was filed by the Bay City teen’s father.
The teen died March 22, 2009, after an officer shocked him. Police say he was intoxicated and took an aggressive stance toward officers responding to a report of a fight.
A prosecutor declined to bring charges against officers.
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