Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/198033
NewsBriefs:Sept CX 10/27/09 11:52 AM Page 5 Opposite page: Chief nurse representatives are recognized at the convention for their work and leadership. Left: RNs left roses with personal notes at U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's front door, urging her to support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Above: RNs rallied in downtown San Francisco for EFCA. standard of quality care, such as by improving and expanding Medicare for everyone. CNA/NNOC copresident Geri Jenkins, RN, called on her colleagues to participate in the healthcare debate because "you are the experts who know what's going on." In addition to witnessing patients who are in worse shape because they delay care or can't afford their medications, Genkins noted that lack of access to healthcare has hurt her family and friends: her stepdaughter, who was born with a congenital heart defect that was corrected, now has difficulty finding health coverage as a young adult, and a neighbor friend declared bankruptcy due to healthcare costs. "We all know people, relatives, people we work with, the neighbor next door," said Jenkins. A panel of registered nurses from countries with guaranteed universal healthcare, either through a single-payer or a national health system, debunked common misconceptions of their systems and discussed ho w SEPTEMBER 2009 the idea of equity underlies the way their governments provide healthcare. "Our system is not perfect, but it guarantees every man, woman, and child quality healthcare regardless of financial circumstances," said Judith Kiejda, RN and assistant general sec- 2009 Delegate Actions on Resolutions and Bylaws Unanimous approval of a resolution supporting unification with United American Nurses and the Massachusetts Nurses Association to form a national "super union" with the goal of representing all RNs Updating of the name of CNA/NNOC's national meeting from "House of Delegates" to "convention" Change of the governance cycle and holding of the national convention from two years to three years to allow greater time for policy development and implementation. Staff nurse assemblies will still be held annually in between convention years. An at-large position representing public health was added to the Joint Nursing Practice Commission Change of the formula for determining delegate numbers to a regionally proportionate ratio of 1 delegate for every 200 members Technical updating and clarification of outdated bylaw language W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G REGISTERED NURSE 5