MNA Blog (Page 94)

Recent news and updates from the Minnesota Nurses Association.

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing

Statement by Minnesota Nurses Association Executive Director Walter Frederickson, RN on Park Nicollet Health Services/HealthPartners Merger

As corporatization of health care continues its relentless march in Minnesota with the merger of Park Nicollet Health Services and HealthPartners, nurses raise a voice of concern to warn that one size does not fit all.  Each health situation is unique and can require a multitude of resources at any given moment.

Simultaneously, patients deserve a basic standard of care, and enough RN staffing to be able to anticipate crises as they emerge on each shift.   As traditionally bottom-line obsessed corporations grow, so too must our voice continue to grow to ensure patients are always placed above profits.
… Read more about: MNA Statement on Twin Cities Health Care Merger  »

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In: Uncategorized

Sunday, September 2

Virginia

Iron Range Labor Assembly picnic

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Olcott Park, Virginia 55792

Program at 1:30 p.m. Join us for a raffle, games for kids, a beer garden and all the food you can eat. This picnic is open to anyone.

 

Monday, September 3 – Labor Day

Brainerd/Baxter

Brainerd Trades and Labor Assembly Solidarity Day 2012 Labor Day picnic

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Baxter City Park, Baxter MN 56425

Join us for food, beverages, music, games for kids and door prizes.
… Read more about: Labor Day Activities, 2012  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing

HEALTH CARE

Patients Balk at Corporate Health Care   When the local, independent hospital becomes part of a larger health system, whether Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic or another, the hospitals also can become more impersonal, bureaucratic and frustrating.

U.S. Lags in Preventable Deaths    More bad news for the U.S. health care system. According to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund, America is worst among three other industrialized nations when it comes to preventing avoidable deaths through timely, effective medical care. The problem, once again, is the lack of health insurance, the report suggests.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 30, 2012: State employee contracts rejected by legislative panel; Patients balk at corporate health care;  »

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In: Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses, Organizing, Politics

NOTES ON NURSING

More Injured Employees, Fewer Doctors at Minnesota Security Hospital    Employee injuries at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, state’s largest facility for the mentally ill and dangerous, increased sharply this year as the number of permanent psychiatrists dropped from six to one and security practices have put counselors into closer contact with patients.

HEALTH CARE

Minnesota Lagged Nation in Growth of Public Health Coverage for Kids   The growth of public health insurance coverage helped blunt the impact of the recession for many kids across the country, but a new study suggests the dynamic didn’t hold true in Minnesota.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 29, 2012: Employee safety concerns at MN Security Hospital; MN kids health coverage down  »

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In: Activism, Bargaining, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Organizing, Politics

HEALTH CARE

National Nurses United’s RoseAnn DeMoro Named to Top 100 Most Influential Health Care List for 11th Straight Year   DeMoro, who is number 36 on the list of 100, is one of only eight people to be named to the list for each of the 11 years it has been compiled. She is also one of only two women to be named every year on a list that is dominated by figures in government and corporate healthcare institutions.

NOTES ON NURSING

Unsafe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios are a Key Cause of 98,000 Preventable Deaths Each Year    Registered nurses form the backbone of this system, providing triage and treatment. 
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 28, 2012: DeMoro tops; RN staffing & preventable deaths; Collectiving cargaining on MI ballot  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Labor Unions, Nurses

I just wanted to jot a note about my recent experience at the Minnesota State Fair to let members and staff hear of the experience.

The Minnesota State Fair is indeed the “Great Minnesota Get together.”  Fairgoers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado and even Louisiana stopped to visit with MNA Nurses, as they always do, and all communicated their thanks for what we do every day. They could not say enough about Nursing’s dedication to them and their families!

One mother wanted us to know it was the Nurses at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital who stood at her daughter’s bedside 24/7 when she received medical care for her Leukemia.
… Read more about: MNA at the Minnesota State Fair – Real Stories. Real Conversations. Real Impact.  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

NOTES ON NURSING

Worth Watching: MNA RNs help recovering patient see his son’s West Coast wedding.

HEALTH CARE

Worth Reading: The Center For Public Integrity has a series out on how politicians are manipulating the facts about medicare during election season.

Moody’s Investors Service has declared that not-for-profit hospitals are financially stable for now, but the fiscal realities of the Affordable Care Act could darken that picture in the future.

LABOR

Right-to-work: “They want to run us to death.”
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 27, 2012 – MNA RNs Help Recovering Patient See Son’s West Coast Wedding  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

HEALTH CARE

Fairview Health Services wants to spend $53 million to … wait for it … make capital improvements.

From The New York Times: A Night the ER Staff in Aurora, Colorado will never forget.

LABOR

Hundreds of nurses in the Boston area will vote next week whether or not to authorize a strike.
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 24, 2012 – Fairview Wants to Spend $53m … on Buildings; Boston RNs Ponder Strike Vote; A Night ER Staff Will Never Forget  »

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In: Activism, Healthcare, Hospitals, Labor Unions, Nurses, Nursing, Politics

HEALTH CARE

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Hospitals are blaming health care reform and the economy for cutting back on staffing levels.

Underscoring hospitals’ interest in employee health, 84 percent of medical facilities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that responded to a new survey offer workers a wellness program or activity.

Study: Middle Class Suffered “Worst Decade in Modern History” as wages stagnated, share of income fell.

LABOR

If you’re headed to the State Fair, make sure you stop by the MNA booth to say hello!
… Read more about: MNA Daily NewsScan, August 23, 2012 – State Fair Begins; Hospitals Sing Familiar Tune  »