New York Hospital Nurses Laid Off After AI Software Replaces Roles, Union Raises Concerns

New York Hospital Nurses Laid Off After AI Software Replaces Roles, Union Raises Concerns
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Twelve nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, have been laid off after their positions were replaced by artificial intelligence-powered software, according to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).

The affected nurses worked in utilization review, analyzing patient records and communicating with insurance providers about medical coverage.

NYSNA and its parent organization, National Nurses United, said the layoffs violate protections included in a new labor contract reached after a major nurses’ strike in January 2026. The union has called for safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, arguing that AI should support clinical professionals rather than replace them.

The union said the nurses had requested transparency after workflow changes were introduced earlier this year but received layoff notices in May.

Montefiore Hospital rejected the union’s claims, saying its technology changes are part of a non-clinical program focused on administrative tasks and are intended to improve patient care and outcomes.