mnnurses (Page 109)

MNA member Mary Kirsling wrote to her representative about her opposition to National Nurse Licensure.  Here’s why it is important to be alert and involved – we get results that mean the world to our patients!

A Note from Mary Kirsling:  “It is gratifying to have one’s representatives read and respond. And if anyone thinks that these emails lack power, I think the responses tell otherwise…

On Mon, 4/2/12, Kerry Gauthier <rep.kerry.gauthier@house.mn> wrote:

From: Kerry Gauthier <rep.kerry.gauthier@house.mn>
Subject: Re: national nurse licensure
Date: Monday, April 2, 2012, 9:50 AM

Thank you for contacting me to share your opposition to Minnesota’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which was proposed in 2011 with the introduction of House File 462.
… Read more about: MNA RN Voices Make a Difference on Nurse Licensure Compact  »

Note:  The Legislature is tentatively planning to adjourn today (April 5)  for a short spring recess

HMO Accountability
Great news! The four Healthcare Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have returned $73 million dollars in excess profits to the taxpayers. Nurses played an integral part in holding HMOs accountable and advocating for further transparency. Please follow the link below to find out more information.

http://mnablog.com/2012/04/03/mna-rns-have-helped-lead-charge-in-holding-hmos-accountable/

National Nurse Licensure Compact
In addition to being part of the Senate HHS Omnibus bill, the National Nurse Licensure Compact is moving as stand-alone bills in the Senate and House (SF230-Gerlach/HF462-Norton).
… Read more about: Legislative Update, April 5, 2012  »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: John Nemo, MNA, 651-414-2863 or john.nemo@mnnurses.org

WILLMAR, Minnesota (April 3, 2012) – In an effort to clear up confusion surrounding the status of the Willmar Intensive Rehabilitation Treatment facility, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced today that a pair of legislative bills it helped introduce appear likely to extend the closure date of the facility by another year.

MNA, which represents more than 20,000 nurses in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, including RNs at the Willmar facility, has been working closely with AFSCME Council 5, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) and local legislators Rep.
… Read more about: Press Release: MNA RNs fight to keep Willmar Intensive Rehabilitation Treatment Facility open  »

Good to hear this news today, because Minnesota Nurses have played a key role for more than a year in demanding these HMOs be held accountable! Here’s the press release from the Governor’s Office:

Dayton Healthcare Reform Saves Millions for Taxpayers

$73 million returned to taxpayers as a result of nation leading efficiency and value in healthcare reform

Saint Paul, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced $73 million in health care cost savings to state and federal taxpayers, thanks to the voluntary 1% cap on profits agreed to last year between Commissioner of Human Services Lucinda Jesson, HealthPartners, Medica, UCare, and BlueCross BlueShield.  
… Read more about: MNA RNs Have Helped Lead Charge in Holding HMOs Accountable  »

Right to Work

There was no action on Right to Work this week. Our friends in both parties and both legislative bodies have taken a stand on behalf of working families. To all of you who wrote, called and visited your elected officials, thank you. The outpouring of grassroots activism from nurses, union members and concerned citizens was like nothing we’ve seen in recent years, and deserves a lot of the credit for stopping this bill.

Health and Human Services Omnibus Bills

On Tuesday, HHS Chair David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) introduced the Senate HHS Omnibus bill, which includes the National Nurse Licensure language, aka Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
… Read more about: Legislative Update, March 30, 2012  »