Right to Work
The so-called “Right to Work” amendment was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Over 1,600 union members turned out to watch the hearing and voice their opposition to this unfair, unsafe and unnecessary legislation. Capitol officials reported that this was the largest turnout for a committee hearing in state history. Abbott Northwestern Hospital Nurse Ursula Tuttle testified before the committee. You can watch Ursula’s testimony here at the 8:35 mark.
After nearly four hours of testimony and debate committee passed the “Right to Work” amendment 7-6. In the end, one Republican joined five DFLers in opposing the amendment, with the other 7 Republicans voting for Right to Work. The next step for the bill is the Senate Rules Committee. If the Rules Committee passes the bill, it would most likely go on to a full vote of the Senate. The bill has not yet been heard in the Minnesota House. It would have to pass a full vote of both the Senate and the House to appear on the November 2012 ballot. (The Governor cannot veto a Constitutional amendment.)
Since Monday’s hearing, nurses have been calling and emailing their legislators nonstop, asking them to vote against this unsafe, unfair, and unnecessary bill. The contacts seem to be working; as of today, the Right to Work bill has not been scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate or a committee hearing in the House. If we can keep up the grassroots action, we can stop this bill. If you haven’t contacted your legislator, use the MNA Grassroots Action Center to send a message today.
RN Criminal Background Check
This week, Senate File 1053, the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s changes to Registered Nurse criminal background checks, was laid on the table in the Senate Judiciary Committee. MNA provided testimony that raised a lot of questions and concerns about this legislation. The bill is duplicative, costly and relies on a flawed system of fingerprinting by the federal government. Because the bill was laid on the table and not taken back up, it has now missed deadline. MNA will continue to work with the MBON to find a compromise that continues to protect patient safety while preserving the rights of nurses.
While we oppose this bill, MNA supports Criminal Background Checks as an important and necessary tool to ensure patient safety. In fact, MNA has introduced a new bill that would improve patient safety while protecting the rights of nurses and improving the accuracy of criminal background checks.
National Nurse Licensure Compact
The Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact passed the Senate Finance and Government Operations committees on partisan votes this week. There will likely be a debate on the Senate floor next week. MNA opposes this bill because it would lower Minnesota’s standards and put patient safety at risk. It would also mean potential job loss for Minnesota nurses and abdicating the state’s right to govern nursing. Stay tuned for updates, and contact your Senator and ask them to vote NO on National Nurse Licensure.
HMO Transparency
On Monday the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard the HMO Transparency bill authored by Senator Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge). HHS Chair David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) made many amendments to the bill that drastically changed its scope, to the point where it probably can’t pass this session. MNA had supported the original bill’s intent of demanding more accountability from the HMOs who receive nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds per year to administer public health care programs.
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/mna/rQW8EE3q.aspx