Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/198600
NewsBriefs:Final 6/7/07 2:55 PM Page 4 NewsBriefs RNs Host Historic Rally for Guaranteed Healthcare f the united states doesn't take decisive action soon to provide guaranteed healthcare to every resident, we'll essentially be a Third World country, says Jackie Killeen, an RN with Kaiser Permanent in Richmond, Calif. "The future for our children and their children is going to be horrific," said Killeen. "Only the elite will have healthcare." Killeen and thousands of like-minded CNA/NNOC registered nurses and public school employees rallied at the California state Capitol in Sacramento on May 8 in support of state and federal bills that would guarantee everybody health coverage by creating a singlepayer system. The protest was likely the largest ever held in Sacramento in support of a particular healthcare measure. Under single-payer, individuals, employers, and the government all chip into a national fund to reimburse our current, mostly-private system of healthcare providers for services. In essence, singlepayer expands our current Medicare system. In California, pending bill SB 840 would I Clockwise from top left: Pretend insurance executives jump out of a Trojan horse to symbolize who's really behind the governor's health plan; RNs Gloria Marsalla and Gloria Santos at the rally; Sen. Sheila Kuehl revs up the crowd of nurses and school employees. establish single-payer and nationally, HR 676 would do the same. Competing in California with SB 840 are numerous proposals submitted by the governor and various legislators that ultimately protect our current, failed system of private insurance and the profits of companies that have been consistently exposed for denying insurance and withholding care. "I am sick and tired of watching my patients fight their illnesses and their insur- CALIFORNIA 4 REGISTERED NURSE W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G ance companies at the same time," said Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, RN and member elect of the CNA/NNOC Council of Presidents, to a crowd of RNs and California School Employees Association members who whooped their approval and agreement. "Together we can end the pain and suffering inflicted on our patients by cruel and heartless healthcare corporations who care only about one thing: the bottom line." Sen. Sheila Kuehl, author of SB 840, spoke to the audience about the need for the public to reject the private insurance model. "Why force insurance companies to do the right thing?" asked Kuehl. "I'd rather just get rid of them." Last year, the same bill also titled SB 840, passed both houses of the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. On May 8, Kuehl vowed to press on regardM AY 2 0 0 7