Death of CEO put U of C Medicare funds at risk

The accidental death of Chicago Sun-Times chairman James Tyree prompted the federal government to threaten to strip Medicare funding from the University of Chicago Medical Center.

The Chicago Tribune reports that following an investigation, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a public notice it determined "deficiencies.so serious they constitute an immediate threat to patient health and safety."

According to the Tribune, the University of Chicago says it received notice Thursday the medical center's participation in the Medicare program remains intact. Officials say the hospital submitted a plan to correct problems and to remain in compliance with Medicare's conditions of participation."

Tyree, the 53-year-old CEO of Mesirow Financial, died last month from an air embolism during removal of a dialysis catheter. He was being treated for pneumonia.