MNA Blog (Page 34)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

On:
In: Health Care Reform, Healthcare, Home, Hospitals, Single Payer

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

According to a new report, hospital prices went up even though usage of healthcare actually went down.  Sadly, the takeaway shows that what a patient pays for healthcare determines how much they’re able to seek care and actually be healthy.  The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) report, “Healthy Marketplace Index,” analyzed more than 1.8 billion commercial claims from 2012 to 2016, HCCI’s report shows commercial healthcare prices increased by 13 percent (almost 3 times faster than inflation) while utilization of services dropped 17 percent nationwide.

 

It’s not just what healthcare costs that matters either. 
… Read more about: Hospital Prices Rise But Hospital Admits Drop  »

On:
In: Action, Activism, Home, Member Blog, National Nurses United

By Candy Matzke, RN

MNA Member, GAC Commissioner

 

January 19, 2019. It feels like last weekend and yet so far away! I was a proud MNA member who joined nurses from all over the country, as well as may other coalitions.  We were mainly women-oriented or justice-oriented activists, and I saw men there too with pink, feminist hats and t-shirts stating they were supporters of the movement of women and their causes.

 

Because of the shutdown, when I got to DC, there was no traffic.  There were no tourists visiting the Smithsonian. It was a strange feeling, until I saw my peeps, the NNU nurses, my fellow MNA nurses, the “Me too” movement, the Black Lives Matter folks, Planned Parenthood, my LGBTQ and IA Now folks (inclusion and unity). 
… Read more about: Women’s March in DC with NNU  »

On:
In: Home, Organizing, Press Releases

Contact:  Barb Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

(Bismarck, N.D.) – March 6, 2019 – An overwhelming majority of registered nurses at CHI St. Alexius Medical Center chose to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association during two days of voting this week.

“St. Alexius nurses want to provide top quality care to all our patients by having a voice in our workplace,” said Margo Maxon, an RN at the hospital. “Nurses believe coming together and speaking with one voice is the best way to advocate for our patients.”

“MNA members welcome St. Alexius nurses to our union family,” said MNA President Mary C.
… Read more about: Press Release: St. Alexius nurses in North Dakota vote to affiliate with Minnesota Nurses Association  »

On:
In: Hospitals, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) – March 6, 2019 –  An analysis of hospital prices shows Minnesota hospitals are charging an average of 212 percent more than it costs them to care for patients, according to the study by National Nurses United and the Minnesota Nurses Association.  The study also shows that hospital prices have risen threefold over 20 years when compared to other goods and services in the consumer price index.

“By looking at what it costs to care for patients and comparing that to what hospitals actually charge patients, it shows that hospital prices haven’t just gone up exponentially,” said Tara Fugate, researcher for the Minnesota Nurses Association, “They’ve gone up faster than the prices of other goods and services in the economy.”

The study compares chargemaster prices for 111 acute-care facilities in Minnesota with the costs for care for each hospital as listed in the Medicare Cost Reports (MCR). 
… Read more about: Press Release: Study Shows Minnesota Hospital Prices Rising Faster than Economy  »

On:
In: Allina, Home, Hospitals, National Nurses United

By Tara Fugate

MNA Strategic Researcher

 

Minnesota hospital charges are rising and have been for decades, but the difference between what hospitals charge patients and the amount hospitals need to deliver care is not often discussed. How much does it actually cost hospitals to provide care? The answer is: it varies. However, one thing is consistent across the state, every hospital included in a recent National Nurses United and Minnesota Nurses Association study charges more than the “cost” of delivering care. The “cost” of delivering care refers not only to direct labor and supply costs but also to administrative and general costs, such as maintenance and housekeeping.
… Read more about: Report Shows Hospital Pricing Rising Faster than Economy  »

On:
In: Education, Minnesota Nurses Association, Nurse education

By Hans-Peter De Ruiter

MNAF Board Chair

For years the MNA Foundation has supported nurses in their pursuit of continuing their academic careers. MNA members have completed BSN programs, become nurse educators, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists; they have earned master’s degrees, doctorates and PhDs all in the pursuit of advancing the nursing profession and taking patient advocacy to new heights.

Today the foundation is thrilled to announce a new and very exciting scholarship, named in honor of our country’s first African-American graduate nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney. The Mary Eliza Mahoney scholarship will provide financial support to a fellow union member who wants to become a nurse and a member of the MNA.
… Read more about: Announcing the Mary Eliza Mahoney Memorial Scholarship  »

On:
In: Board of Nursing, Home

By Cameron Fure

MNA Political Organizer

MNA members have a wide array of ways to get active in their organization. Advocacy beyond the bedside can take many forms whether it be serving as a steward at your hospital, on your unions negotiating team, on an MNA Board or commission, getting involved in an MNA nurse-endorsed political campaign, or coming to the Capitol to advocate for your patients. One way that you can have a huge impact is by applying to serve on the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

The time commitment can vary year to year but you could expect 12-15 hours a month on average.
… Read more about: Nurses Care, Nurses Serve  »

On:
In: Home, Member Blog, Nurses

By Alex Machlica, RN

United Hospital steward

 

For the past couple years, United Hospital’s management has been inconsistent in the use of sick leave for nurses’ paternity or maternity leaves. In some cases, management has allowed nurses to use sick leave for part of or all of their leaves; and in other cases, management has required nurses to use vacation leave in order to get paid from the first day.

 

Management has also denied new fathers any use of sick leave on the grounds that the contract only allows the use of sick leave for one’s own illness.
… Read more about: Paternity parity victory  »

On:
In: Activism, Day On the Hill, Home, Press Releases

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​
Contact:  Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org

Contact:  Barbara Brady
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
barbara.brady@mnnurses.org

​
(St. Paul) –   February 8, 2019 –  Minnesota Nurses Association nurses and healthcare advocates will call for legislators and businesses to put patients before profits and support expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare for all, including initiatives currently before the Legislature at a 2 p.m. rally in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda on February 12. Representatives from MNA, ISAIAH, the Land Stewardship Project, the Main Street Alliance, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and TakeAction Minnesota will share stories in support of expanding MinnesotaCare, removing the sunset of the provider tax that funds MinnesotaCare, reducing prescription drug costs, strengthening workplace safety, and improving hospital staffing levels.
… Read more about: Media Advisory: Minnesota Nurses, Healthcare Advocates Rally on Feb. 12  »

On:
In: Action, Bargaining, Home, Member Blog

By Shannon Paysse and Kyle Zelinske

MNA Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center Co-Chairs

 

When our SEIU colleagues at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd asked MNA nurses to support them over a costly change to their health insurance last year, we wasted no time assisting them.

 

Essentia Health’s decision to change health insurance in Brainerd put SEIU workers in a precarious position. Their contract contained a cap on how much the employer paid in premiums, something nurses had previously negotiated out of their contract. SEIU workers faced much higher family premium costs as a result of the change in health insurance.
… Read more about: MNA nurses have our union colleagues’ backs  »