Daily Archives: April 10, 2013

04.10.13
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National RN Upadate: DC Actions, Stop Social Security Cuts, Charity Care, Massachusetts

INSIDE THIS UPDATE:

1. Robin Hood Rides in DC Next Week – Join Us!

2. HEAL DC – RNs Rally for Safe Ratios

3. REJECT CUTS to Social Security and Medicare!

4. California Charity Care Bill to Hold Hospitals Accountable

5. Massachusetts RNs protest for patient care

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Robin Hood Rides in DC Next Week – Join Us!

Robin Hood Tax

On April 20, Robin Hood will be marching from the IMF and World Bank to the US Treasury to demand a Robin Hood Tax in the U.S. We hope you can join us! On April 17 Congressmember Ellison (D-MN) will be holding a press conference to herald the reintroduction of The Inclusive Prosperity Act which calls for a Robin Hood Tax. Stay tuned for more on that.

In order to send a powerful message to the G20 Finance Ministers who will be meeting in DC in a few weeks, we need to ensure as big a mobilization as possible – and to do this we need your help to reach more people.

Can’t make it to DC? Join the Movement Online:

1. Like Robin on Facebook

2. Follow Robin on Twitter @RobinHoodTax and use the hashtag #TaxWallStreet

3. Sign-up for email alerts on our website

4. Visit our Facebook DC event page for details

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HEAL DC – RNs Rally for Safe Ratios

Heal DC

The participation of every nurse is needed at two upcoming events to demand passage of the Patient Protection Act to ensure minimum mandatory RN-to-patient ratios in DC’s hospitals.

Friday, April 19: Rally at Freedom Plaza
13th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Buses will leave from the corner of 1st and Irving St., NW
at 4:45 p.m. and return by 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, May 14: Hearing in the DC Council
Buses will leave from the corner of 1st and Irving St., NW
at 9:45 a.m. and return when the hearing ends.

Call 240-235-2000 or talk to your shop steward to reserve a seat on the bus.

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REJECT CUTS to Social Security and Medicare!

Back off Social Security

The largest U.S. organization of registered nurses, National Nurses United (NNU), issued its strongest warning today: Cuts in Social Security and Medicare would do harm to America’s elderly and disabled, vulnerable populations whose resources already place them in the margins. NNU called upon lawmakers to withdraw from all considerations of these cuts. Although Social Security contributes nothing to the federal deficit, Congress could increase revenue for the Social Security trust fund by raising the payroll tax income limit.

National Nurses United, 04/08/13 More »

TAKE ACTION: Tell the President NO CUTS to Social Security or Medicare:

  • Phone:(202) 456-1111
  • Fax:(202) 456-2461

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California Charity Care Bill to Hold Hospitals Accountable

Malinda Markowitz, RN and CNA Co-president
Malinda Markowitz, RN and CNA Co-president

Time for Hospitals To Act as Good Corporate Citizens

Has therapeutic healing and recovery become a vanishing mission among California hospitals? Are California hospitals operating as big corporations more devoted to piling up cash than to assuring the delivery of care? A look at how California’s private, not-for-profit hospitals are meeting their responsibilities for providing charity care and community benefit programs suggests many have lost their way. —Malinda Markowitz Commentary, California Healthline, 04/09/13 More »

Bill to Hold Hospitals Accountable on Charity Care Passes First California Legislative Test

Legislation to press California non-profit hospitals to fulfill their charity care obligation in exchange for the substantial public financing they receive through their tax exempt status passed its first hurdle Tuesday in the California Assembly Health Committee overcoming opposition from California’s biggest hospital corporations and its allies. —California Nurses Association, 04/03/13 More »

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Massachusetts RNs protest for patient care

MASS--Nurses protest for patient care, hospital says paychecks

HAVERHILL — Nurses took to the street near Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill yesterday to call attention to what they think is an alarming trend at some local hospitals. —The Eagle Tribune, 04/06/13 More »

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Thanks, and please FOLLOW US online at any/all of the links below!

National Nurses United

Robin Hood Tax Campaign

Tune in to NNU on Nurse Talk Radio

 

04.10.13
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MNA NewsScan, April 10, 2013: Tentative agreement for Duluth RNs; Alarm fatigue puts patients at risk

NOTES ON NURSING
Tentative Agreement for St. Lukes Nurses in Duluth   The Minnesota Nurses Association announced late Tuesday that Duluth nurses came to a tentative contract agreement with St. Luke’s hospital that would raise wages 4.5 percent. The three-year agreement would go into effect in July and run into June 2016.  View pictures of the great solidarity action  and a video of MNA’s powerful opening statement

Alarm Fatigue Puts Patients at Risk    The Joint Commission issued a “sentinel event alert” to hospitals, saying that the problem of “alarm fatigue” can jeopardize patients, and it urged hospitals “to take a focused look at this serious patient safety issue.’”  Watch MNA President Linda Hamilton’s interview on Fox 9 News.

LABOR UPDATES

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Musicians Agree to Terms  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will start making music again. Concerts are expected to resume after musicians and management announced Tuesday night, April 9,

HEALTH CARE

Health Care CEO Compensation Skyrockets in 2012 The leader of the industry’s largest publicly traded chain with 146 hospitals earned $34.5 million last year, excluding option awards, compared with just $8.5 million in 2011.

Mayo Ratchets Up Pressure on Legislature   Mayo Clinic President and CEO John Noseworthy was talking in Washington, D.C., but he was clearly addressing Minnesota legislators: If the state doesn’t pony up millions for Mayo’s multibillion-dollar expansion, the clinic will take its business elsewhere.

Minnesota Attorney General Announces Second Public Hearing on Proposed Sanford Takeover of Fairview/U-M    Hearing details: The second hearing will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 15 of the State Capitol. Doors to the State Capitol open at 1:00 p.m.