Attorney General Ellison to kick off MNA Day on the Hill as nurses call for action to put patient needs before corporate greed in hospitals

Contact: Sam Fettig
(c) 612-741-0662
sam.fettig@mnnurses.org

Lauren Bloomquist
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.bloomquist@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – March 4, 2024 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) will hold their annual Day on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol, calling on legislators to take action on the “Healing Greed Agenda,” a set of bills moving forward at the legislature that would put patient needs before corporate greed in our healthcare system. Nurses’ priority legislation would hold hospital executives accountable to patients and the public and protect workers from retaliation when they speak up for the safe, quality care all patients deserve.

Throughout the day, nurses will meet with legislators to discuss the Healing Greed Agenda, including the HEAL Act, to include and protect nurse voices to advocate for safe patient care; TEAL, to regulate nonprofit hospitals and their executives who make millions; the Improving Safety in Hospitals Act, to address the violent consequences for workers and patients of CEO inaction; improved Registered Nurse student loan forgiveness; oversight of proposed hospital closures and service reductions; accountability at Hennepin County Medical Center; limits on nonprofit hospital CEO compensation; and access to unemployment insurance for workers taking concerted labor action.

Before heading to the State Capitol, nurses will hear from Attorney General Keith Ellison during a morning session at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. Nurses will also turn out and testify at a House Health Committee hearing, and will join striking nursing home workers for a rally on the Capitol steps. MNA nurse leaders will be available to speak with members of the press following Attorney General Ellison’s remarks and throughout the day at the State Capitol upon request.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLSION KICKS OFF NURSES’ DAY ON THE HILL

• WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 8:30 a.m.
• WHERE: InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, Great River Ballroom, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55101
• WHO: Attorney General Keith Ellison, MNA nurses
• WHAT: Kick off Nurses’ Day on the Hill, MNA nurse leaders available to press

NURSES TURN OUT AND TESTIFY AT HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

• WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 10:30 a.m.
• WHERE: Minnesota State Office Building, Room 5, 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St Paul, MN
• WHO: Healthcare workers and state legislators
• WHAT: House Health Finance and Policy Committee hearing on bill to provide greater public oversight of hospital closures, part of nurses’ Healing Greed Agenda

NURSES JOIN RALLY WITH STRIKING NURSING HOME WORKERS

• WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 1:45 p.m.
• WHERE: Outside Steps, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, St Paul, MN 55155
• WHO: Nursing home workers, MNA nurses
• WHAT: Rally with striking nursing home workers demanding fair pay, dignified retirement, and affordable healthcare

NURSES AT THE CAPITOL FOR MNA DAY ON THE HILL

• WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, St Paul, MN 55155
• WHO: MNA nurses
• WHAT: Meet with legislators to urge legislative action, MNA nurse leaders available to press