Unbought Slate Wins Against Democrats-for-Chevron
It's not often that a city council race in a city of 100,000 draws national attention. It happened in Richmond, California, this fall because one big corporation was so shameless in its open attempt to buy the election.
Jane Slaughter, Labor Notes
Populist Movement’s “Ground Zeroâ€: The Effort To Reclaim Chicago
Since the midterm elections, the media has been buzzing about the growing schism between Wall Street Democrats and the populist wing of the party. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent victories give evidence for the idea that the populists are rising. With their eyes fixed on 2016, many are asking how we can stop a coronation and nominate a populist alternative to former Sen. Hillary Clinton for president.
Jacob Swenson-Lengyel, Campaign for America's Future
Medical Debt Still a Problem Under Health Law — Despite Protections
In 2013, medical debt was the largest cause of personal bankruptcy – 1.7 million people lived in households experiencing bankruptcy because of health costs. But the law hasn’t eliminated the problem. Many states haven’t expanded Medicaid and even those with insurance can rack up big bills, a problem exacerbated by the growing number of plans with high deductibles.
Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News
Salinas RNs Endorse Community Mediator to Settle Contract Dispute
Following 10 months of contentious talks that have failed to produce movement by stubborn hospital officials on demands that registered nurses say would jeopardize patient safety, including a management plan to eliminate about 10 percent of all bedside nurses at the hospital, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital RNs said today that they support a proposal by State Assembly member Luis Alejo for a community mediator to work to resolve the dispute.
Feb 3, 2015
EPA should strengthen the standards for clean air
When I was just starting as a nurse, I had a patient that had never touched a cigarette but struggled daily with the simple act of breathing. Her health issues were not because of her ancestors, poor decisions or back luck; it was because she lived near polluting oil refineries.
Heather Albright, RN, Sacramento Bee
Book Review: America's Bitter Pill, by Steven Brill
A look at Steven Brill's new book in which he tackles the Gordian knot of the American Healthcare System: what he got right and what he got wrong.
Michael Lighty and Charles Idelson, with contributions by Michelle Mahon
Nurses Rally at EPA Hearing, Champion Public Health
Nurses were the highlight of the rally. More than 50 were attending a CE class nearby, and they marched down J Street in red scrubs and surgical masks, chanting Clean Air Is Health Care.
California Nurses Association
Let Prime Healthcare buy Daughters of Charity's hospitals
Dughters of Charity Health System, a Catholic nonprofit that operates six hospitals primarily for poor and elderly Californians, is reaching the last bead on its fiscal rosary. The chain is losing money at an alarming rate and wants to sell itself to Prime Healthcare Services, but prominent Democrats and a powerful union have called on Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris to block the deal.
The Times Editorial Board, Los Angeles Times
Pharma, healthcare's 8-ton gorilla, comes under increasing scrutiny
For all the heavy weights in the healthcare industry, that industry that now gobbles about one fifth of the U.S. economy, none has more weight to throw around than the pharmaceutical giants.
Big drug companies make the most profit, mark up their prices the most, have the most clout in Congress and other elected officials, and generally get whatever they want.
Chuck Idelson
International Nurse News Round-Up
See a collection of links to news stories about nurses in other nations, and how they are advocating for their patients.
Global Nurses United