MNA Daily NewsScan, June 28, 2012: ACA Upheld; RNs Know “Medicare for All” is best solution

HEALTH CARE

Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law  Roberts joins majority, says mandate is permissable under Congress’s taxing authority.  The 5-4 ruling  — a major victory for the White House  — will help redefine the power of the national government and affect the health-care choices of millions of Americans.

MNA President Linda Hamilton, RN: We Still Have Much Work To Do   “While we are pleased the Supreme Court upheld the entire Affordable Care Act and that millions of deserving Americans will receive the health care coverage they so desperately need as a result, the job isn’t done,” Hamilton said. “The ACA is an important first step, but the key here is just that – it’s only the first step. As nurses, we don’t want to see a single patient suffering because he or she doesn’t have adequate and affordable health care coverage. We need Medicare For All, and it’s our mission as nurses to keep this country moving toward that goal.”

NOTES ON NURSING

1 In 5 Nurses is Depressed  Here’s a  startling statistic: 18% of hospital-employed nurses experience depressive  symptoms; that’s twice the rate of the general public.