Montefiore hospital replaces 12 nurses with AI software
Montefiore hospital in the Bronx laid off 12 nurses and replaced them with AI software for utilization review work, reportedly violating safeguards against AI replacement included in a contract the nurses had recently won through a strike. The union says the layoffs threaten patient care quality, while the hospital disputes the characterization and describes the role as nonclinical paperwork.
What happened
Montefiore hospital in the Bronx laid off 12 nurses on a Sunday after replacing them with AI-powered software for utilization review work, according to the New York State Nurses Association.
Marilyn Shuler, a utilization review nurse with 39 years at the hospital who read patient charts and communicated with insurance companies over coverage, was among those laid off.
Reported impact
The union said the layoffs violated a contract the nurses recently won through a strike in January 2026 that included safeguards against AI replacement.
Shaiju Kalathil, a Montefiore nurse and union executive committee member, stated the layoffs should concern patients and practitioners about the quality of care they receive.
Index analysis
Montefiore disputed the union's characterization, calling the claims 'inaccurate and misleading' and describing the change as involving a nonclinical, paperwork programme.
Governance controls
The new union contracts written after strikes at several New York City hospitals in January 2026 included safeguards against AI, according to union representatives.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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