WSNA is proud to support health care reform and the goal of quality, affordable health care for everyone in 2009. WSNA has consistently supported and advocated for a system that guarantees every single person in this country has access to quality care in a timely fashion by the most appropriate health care provider at an affordable cost. As frontline health care providers, registered nurses are acutely aware of the consequences when people do not have access or cannot afford quality health care.
WSNA is working hard to engage nurses and make sure RNs’ voices are heard on health care reform, to educate elected officials about the critical role of RNs in our health care system, and to represent the nursing profession at health care summits, forums and coalitions.
Updates:
September 10, 2009 - Nurses Answer Call to Support Obama’s Stand for Health Care Reform
Nearly five dozen American Nurses Association (ANA) members from around the country will stand with President Obama at the White House this morning to demonstrate their strong support for the President and his speech given to the joint session of the US Congress last night which made clear that the time for action on comprehensive health reform that delivers guaranteed access to affordable, high-quality health care for all is now.
Past WSNA President Kim Armstrong was amongst the nurses represented at the White House today. President Obama, at today’s event, emphasized the important role of registered nurses in the health care system. Click below to watch the video of the event.
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/09/10/HP/R/22969/
Lawmakers+React+to+Presidents+Health+Care+Speech.aspx
Additionally, video and the transcript of the President’s speech to the Joint Session of Congress on health care is available at:
www.whitehouse.gov.
August 19, 2009
Click below to watch the WSNA TV ads on health reform
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), the professional organization representing more than 16,000 registered nurses in Washington State, has announced a new outreach and education campaign to support meaningful health care reform in 2009. Launching on Wednesday, August 19, the campaign will feature television ads across the Pacific Northwest and a new website, www.Nurses4HealthReform.org, with information and tools for both nurses and the general public to get involved in the health care debate.
“As a registered nurse, I advocate for my patients every day. Nurses4HealthReform.org is about advocating for all patients. I see the disastrous consequences of our broken health care system every day. People’s lives are in danger when they can’t access or can’t afford the care they need when they need it. We simply cannot afford to wait,” said WSNA President Julia Weinberg, RN.
The goal of the campaign is to bring the unique experiences and perspectives of registered nurses to the forefront of the health care debate. The website will debunk health care reform myths, provide opportunities to get involved and feature testimonials from registered nurses about why reform is so important.
The campaign is built around four major priorities for health care reform: quality care for all, a focus on prevention, a strong public option, and a robust nursing workforce. High costs and lack of access – for both insured and uninsured people – are forcing too many people to wait until their health is in serious jeopardy before seeking treatment. Everyone must have access to primary care, public health, and regular, preventive medical services so they can live healthier lives and prevent more serious health problems. Providing timely and appropriate preventive care will always be our best and most cost effective health care solution.
“With the current reform debate growing more divided, we fully embrace our responsibility to be leaders in educating our fellow nurses, the public and elected officials about the critical need for reform and nurses’ priorities for a new system. It’s time that everyone has timely access to quality care in a convenient setting by the most appropriate health care provider at an affordable cost,” said WSNA Executive Director Judy Huntington, MN, RN.
July 27, 2009
Federal reform proposals have now been released from the Senate HELP Committee (Health,
Employment, Labor, and Pensions) and the House Tri-Committee (which consists of
the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor).
The Senate Finance Committee has yet to release a proposal.
President Obama challenged Congress to come forward with a consolidated proposal
by the August recess. However, Congress is at risk for not making this due date
due to heightened activity by the opposition. Opponents to the effort are engaged
in activities to slow down the process as much as possible and defeat passage of
any health care reform bill. Locally, opponents submitted letters to the editor
in a number of papers around the state including the Yakima Herald, Everett Herald,
Spokesman Review, and Bellingham Herald.
WSNA is a member of the Healthy Washington Coalition and Health Care for American
Now, two prominent organizations that support health care reform at the state and
federal level. We are urging members to call their congressional representatives
to pass health care reform (see sidebar for details on how to get involved).
WSNA met with Senator Maria Cantwell along with leaders of the labor community to
advocate for a government administered public option. Senator Cantwell is a member
of the Senate Finance Committee.
WSNA also testified in front of the WA State Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee
on Thursday July 23rd. Chair Karen Keiser invited organizations and individuals
representing consumers, insurance, small businesses, and providers to speak to what
aspects of federal health care reform they support or have concerns about. In addition
to testifying in support of a national public option, we also highlighted increased
federal funding for nursing education, recruitment, and retention grants, increased
investment in preventative and public health programs and inclusion of evidence-based
medicine as vital components of comprehensive health care reform. WSNA also highlighted
the key role of the Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner as a major provider of
primary care services. Promoting these issues displayed the unique perspective of
nurses in health care reform.
Washington State’s Congressional delegation needs to hear from nurses about the
need for federal reform.
