National Nurses United

J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 5 MINNESOTA M innesota nurses Association RN members enthusiastically joined two state legislators in announcing a universal health- care plan in February. Sen. John Marty and Rep. David Bly unveiled their Minnesota Health Plan proposal at a Feb. 2 news conference, where several organizations, including the Minnesota Nurses Association, praised the state single-payer bill and called for its passage. "We say loudly and enthusiastically, it's about time!" MNA Executive Director Rose Roach told reporters at the news conference. "Finally, we see the proven solution to the healthcare crisis that rages on in this state and in this country." The Minnesota Health Plan is a "doctor- and patient-centered system where medical decisions are made by patients and their medical providers, not insurance compa- nies that put their financial profits ahead of care," said Marty. "Minnesotans would be covered for all their medical needs, includ- ing dental and long-term care. Not only would this plan keep people healthier, but it would save money for families and businesses." "We know that 62 percent of all bankruptcies in this country are from unaffordable healthcare bills," said Bly. "We also know that costs are skyrocketing; but poor outcomes remain. We're saying something big has to change—and the Minnesota Health Plan needs to be part of the discussion." According to MNA's Roach, "Healthcare is not a consumable good, it's a public good and should be treated as such—not like a commodity traded on a market of precious metals. There's plenty of money in this system. We just need to reallocate those dollars to actual care." Members of Physicians for a National Health Program and the Land Stewardship Project also spoke in favor of the proposal. "Nurses are healers," said Roach. "When you're sick or injured, nurses want to heal you, period. A major role of nursing is centered on patient advocacy. So for nurses, fighting for a humane healthcare system is the ultimate way to advocate for their patients." —Barb Brady RNs support single-payer health plan for the North Star State NATIONAL N ational nurses United's Veter- ans Affairs nurses applauded the reintroduction in February of federal legislation to restore collective bargaining rights to themselves and other clinicians working at VA medical centers. The legislation would improve patient care in VA hospitals and strengthen the healthcare workforce in those facilities. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Mark Takano reintroduced the VA Employee Fair- ness Act today with three Senators and 25 representatives signed on as cospon- sors. The legislation would reform Section 7422 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code, which currently limits the rights of VA profession- als in collective bargaining. These rights are essential in order for them to serve as effec- tive advocates for their veteran patients. "Registered nurses are on the frontlines of patient care for our nation's veterans—in fact, they serve as the first line of defense for patients in the VA," said Jean Ross, RN, co- president of NNU. "Without full collective bargaining rights, VA nurses have been limited in their ability to speak out about working conditions that impact the quality and safety of patient care, such as safe staffing." The legislation would ensure that regis- tered nurses in the VA can negotiate, file grievances, and pursue arbitration over issues relating to direct patient care, and would give RNs the same rights as other clinicians in the VA. Currently, management can leave VA RNs without a resolution to disputes that hurt patient care, such as excessive mandatory over- time or assignment of a nurse to a new hospital unit without adequate training. Other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, already guarantee collective bargaining rights for their nurses. "The veterans that have put their lives and health on the line for our country deserve the highest quality of care," said Irma Westmoreland, RN, NNU's chair of Veteran Affairs. "Registered nurses at the VA are dedicated to caring for our nation's veterans. We see the health impacts of their service to our country every day. But we need a restoration of our full collective bargaining rights to best advocate for our patients and for the V.A. to be able to adequately recruit and retain skilled professionals." —Staff report Bill to restore collective bargaining rights to VA nurses introduced

• Cover