One Medical Employees Say Concierge Care Provider Is Putting Profits Over Patients

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/04/ [login to see] /one-medical-employees-say-concierge-care-provider-is-putting-profits-over-patien
The health care company One Medical, under government scrutiny for allegedly using vaccine distribution to increase its bottom line, is facing a new challenge from within: employees who accuse the company of placing profits over patients.

Dozens of One Medical employees are trying to unionize as a response to what they say has been mismanagement of the organization's COVID-19 response, poor working conditions for staff and, they allege, a declining focus on patients.

One Medical officials strongly deny that the company's primary focus is anything other than patient care. "Delivering quality care to our patients is our number one priority," the company said in a statement. "Our success is measured not in membership numbers, but instead in the satisfaction and well-being of our patients."

Still, employees point to several changes in company policies that, they say, place profits over patients, including requirements for shorter doctor visits, less time to respond to patient concerns at the company call center and rushed schedules for laboratory employees.