Minnesota's Nurses Demand Constitutional Amendment for Health Care

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Minnesota's Nurses Demand Constitutional Amendment for Health Care
Tuesday March 28, 1:00 pm ET DFL's Senator Berglin and Republican Representative Howes Champion Legislation in Bi-Partisan Effort

ST. PAUL, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota's Registered Nurses are calling for a Constitutional amendment affirming the right to health care for all Minnesotans. MNA members are taking their advocacy from the bedside to the state capitol on Tuesday, March 28 during its annual Nurses Day on the Hill. The Association that represents 19,000 Registered Nurses in the state will host a rally on the Capitol lawn supporting legislation intended to make a clear stipulation in the constitution that every Minnesotan has a right to health care.

For years we've seen 'experts' tinker around the edges of the health care system. For years, we've watched costs skyrocket and efficiencies plummet. For years we've seen our patients suffer the consequences of disastrous health care policy and the lack of political will to address the issue," said MNA President Linda Slattengren, RN. "Now nurses are demanding action. It's time we worked for health care to get it right -- and get it in writing."

A bill that would affirm the right to health care for all Minnesotans was introduced in both houses of the legislature last week. The legislation enjoys bi-partisan support, with authors Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls) in the Senate and Larry Howes, R-Walker in the House. The bill would put the issue in a ballot question to the voting public in November.

In its efforts to seek policy change, MNA is collaborating with Minnesotans for Affordable Health Care, a powerful coalition that includes the Minnesota AFL-CIO and the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Ms. Slattengren's views are shared by many Minnesotans. During a recent poll of its own members, the Minnesota Nurses Association discovered that 82.6% of its membership would likely vote for a constitutional amendment affirming health care as a right. Many members were inspired to introduce resolutions as such at their party caucuses in early March.

The Rally for Health Care -- Get It Right, is being held on Tuesday, March 28 at 12:30 on the front lawn of the Capitol building. More that 1,000 nurses and nursing students are registered for MNA's Day on the Hill, and attendance at the rally will likely be boosted with coalition members, working families of the AFL-CIO and a network of churches led by Walker Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

Scheduled presenters are as follows: Linda Slattengren, RN President, Minnesota Nurses Association Linda Berglin Minnesota State Senate Larry Howes Minnesota State House of Representatives Tom Huntley Minnesota State House of Representatives Sue Eichstadt Union Member and Health care activist Mike Hatch Minnesota State Attorney General Steve Hunter Secretary, Minnesota AFL-CIOUniting nurses in vision and voice since 2005. With more than 18,000 members, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation. Established in 1905, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. MNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association, the United American Nurses and the AFL-CIO.

Source: Minnesota Nurses Association