Franken chides embattled medical debt collector for dragging feet on questions

In one case, Accretive may have embedded its employees in hospital staffs for easier access to patients as they received care, the report stated.

The Chicago-based company has consistently denied the allegations.

Franken called the AG report’s findings “serious” and in need of “prompt attention” and asked Accretive to respond to his questions by Friday, May 14.
 
“You should be aware, however, that my investigation … will continue uninterrupted in the interim,” he added.

Several House Democrats, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), have expressed similar concern about the allegations.

And Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has also become involved, though on Accretive’s behalf.

He recently asked Minnesota Attorney Lori Swanson to “cease efforts to publicly prosecute” the firm in the media.

The letter to Swanson, which was sent Friday and distributed by Accretive on Tuesday, said the company “does important things for hospitals and good things for our city.”

Tolan expressed gratitude for Emanuel’s comments in a statement.

We are “incredibly grateful for Mayor Emanuel’s help in reaching a fair resolution of our issues,” she said.

The company has received financing from both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois in the past, according to the Chicago Tribune.