Illinois activists demand moratorium on ‘petcoke’
Registered nurses and community activists will tour petroleum coke sites in Chicago Monday and publicly demand city officials to declare a moratorium on creating the byproduct they say is a hazard to city residents. National Nurses United is planning a news conference alongside the Southeast Side Environmental Task Force, Southeast Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke, and Progressive Democrats of America.
The Herald-News
California Bill Would Let Patients See Out-Of-Network Providers
Health insurance plans have networks of doctors and hospitals that policyholders must use. If a patient wants to see an out-of-network provider, they face higher out-of-pocket costs. But a pending bill in the California Senate would require insurers to offer timely access to care. If that wasn’t possible, patients could see a non-network provider without having to pay more.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS
Nurses' statement on GOP lawmakers mocking women on the House Floor
The following statement from the Michigan Nurses Association is from Julia Morrissey, RN. She and other registered nurses were participating in a Lobby Day at the Capitol today to advocate for the Safe Patient Care Act (safe nurse-patient ratios in hospitals).
Julia Morrissey, Michigan Nurses Association
Jun 5, 2014
Non-profit hospitals’ status raises questions
Once again the California Hospital Association is mounting a crusade that the survival of the multibillion-dollar California hospital industry is in grave jeopardy.
The threat? Earthquakes? Climate change? Godzilla? Not exactly. The big threat is AB 503, a bill that would let the public know whether non-profit hospital corporations justify their enormously profitable tax-exempt status by providing sufficient charity care and community benefits.
Deborah Burger, RN
Survey: RN staffing critical
One in four Bay State nurses says that patient deaths are “directly attributable†to having too many people in their care at one time, according to a new survey.
The survey, commissioned by the Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United, also found 46 percent of nurses said understaffing has resulted in injury to patients, 51 percent said it has led to longer hospital stays, and 57 percent said it has led to medication errors. Research firm Anderson Robbins did the survey of randomly selected nurses.
Marie Szaniszlo, The Boston Herald
Fight to Save Doctors San Pablo Moves to Pleasant Hill Town Hall Forum-Thursday
RNs, public say sales tax proposal good step towards fulfilling County’s obligation to provide care for indigent. Registered nurses, joined by community residents repeatedly urged the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors at their monthly meeting yesterday, to prevent the threatened closure of Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in San Pablo by taking over operation of the troubled facility.
California Nurses Association
Jun 4, 2014
Federal Agency Seeks Court Order to Require Sutter Memorial to Stop Illegal Actions vs. RNs
RNs to vote on joining CNA as employer steps up anti-democratic tactics against nurses’ rights. The National Labor Relations Board Wednesday morning petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to order Sutter Memorial Medical Center in Modesto to properly post federal notices informing employees that it is required to stop engaging in illegal harassment and other pressure tactics to coerce registered nurses to vote against their right to form a union.
California Nurses Association
Jun 4, 2014
Union Nurses Say "Lift Up El Paso" NNOC-TEXAS/NNU
The “Lift Up El Paso†Alliance is organizing to improve the lives of workers in El Paso and is planning an action for later in July.
National Nurses Organizing Committee - Texas/National Nurses Union
Nearly 1 in 4 MA Registered Nurses Report Patient Deaths Attributable to Unsafe Patient Assignments.
78% of RNs agree that the quality of patient care in Massachusetts hospitals is suffering due to unsafe patient assignments including 59% of RNs who are aware of patient complications and 46% who are aware of patients who have been injured or harmed because hospitals are forcing nurses to care for too many patients at one time. Outraged Legislators Claim the Results Sound the Alarm for Immediate Action on Pending Legislation to Ensure Safe Patient Limits for Safer Patient Care
David Schildmeier, Massachusetts Nurses Association
RNs to Contra Costa Supervisors: Act Now to Stop Closure of Doctors San Pablo Hospital
The RNs, members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United have been calling on the County to step up to the plate and assume responsibility for management and operation of the hospital and its emergency room as a full service hospital. The facility could close as soon as July. The Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the county administration building, 651 Pine St. in Martinez. CNA RNs have stepped up a widespread community effort to keep the hospital open and have it run by the county as essential to protecting access to critical hospital and emergency services in West Country Costa County. RNs note that DMC provides 60 percent of the emergency care in the region, some 40,000 patients a year and has 79 percent of the hospital beds.
California Nurses Association
Jun 2, 2014