Special Update: Help Save GAMC! (Page 149)

The campaign to Save GAMC continues.  Visit www.SaveGAMC.org for more information.

General Assistance Medical Care Vote This Thursday
We Can’t Afford To Wait – Call Your State Representative Today

The 85,000 Minnesotans (including 8,000 military Veterans) who rely on GAMC need your voice now more than ever!

Thursday morning, February 18th, the House will take a vote on the GAMC bill (House File 2680) to either pass or defeat the measure.  We need you to call your House member today to ensure that both Democrats and Republicans support health care coverage for the poorest and sickest single adults.

Highlights of GAMC Bill (Rep. Erin Murphy – HF2680): This bill was designed to meet the health care needs of enrollees and address the expectations set forth by the Governor: reduce the cost of the program, include reform and do not raise taxes.

•   This bill reduces costs.  It will cost $281 million over 16 months. The original GAMC program would have cost over $500 million over the same time period.

•   This bill provides health coverage for 85,000 people over 16 months (Governor’s plan covers only 28,000 people for up to six months under Transitional MinnesotaCare).

•   This bill ensures those with mental health issues (70% of GAMC enrollees) continue to have access to their prescription drugs.  This will help people maintain stable housing and reduces costs to public safety and other community services.

•   This bill saves jobs. Hospitals across the state are preparing to cut hundreds of jobs if this legislation does not pass.

This Thursday, Representatives Will Vote Whether to Save GAMC:

We can’t afford to wait – Please act today!

Call or Email Your House Representative Today

Then, Forward This Information To Minnesotans Across the State:

(CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE or call 1 (800) 657-3550)

Tell your Representative to vote yes on House File 2680 this Thursday.  Let them know that it will save jobs and dollars, protect thousands of military Veterans who rely on the program for their health care, keep our communities safe and protect the dignity of Minnesota’s poorest and sickest adults.

Ask your Representative to VOTE YES on the GAMC bill (House File 2680)

For more information, visit www.savegamc.org

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The campaign to Save GAMC continues.  Visit www.SaveGAMC.org for more information.

General Assistance Medical Care Vote This Thursday
We Can’t Afford To Wait – Call Your State Representative Today

The 85,000 Minnesotans (including 8,000 military Veterans) who rely on GAMC need your voice now more than ever!

Thursday morning, February 18th, the House will take a vote on the GAMC bill (House File 2680) to either pass or defeat the measure.  We need you to call your House member today to ensure that both Democrats and Republicans support health care coverage for the poorest and sickest single adults.
… Read more about: Special Update: Help Save GAMC!  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKyoiLMdwE]

MNA Member RN Barb Warren-Bloms spent her Valentine’s Day doing media interviews like the one above at MSP International Airport, then boarded a plane to Jacksonville, FL, to join other RNs from around the country who were deployed to Haiti earlier this week. Barb is the first MN Nurse formally deployed to Haiti through the National Nurses United organization, which is the national union MNA is working with to help safely deploy RNs to help in the Haiti relief efforts.
… Read more about: Happy Valentine’s Day – I’m Headed to Haiti!  »

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Barb Warren-Bloms left from the MSP International Airport today as the first MNA RN to be formally deployed to Haiti. After interviews with local TV stations Barb gave heartfelt hugs to her family and jumped on a plane to Florida. She will be spending the next two weeks on the Navy ship USNS Comfort, which is serving as a floating hospital for earthquake victims. Thanks Barb for being the first of so many Minnesota RNs and MNA Members ready to go to Haiti!


… Read more about: First Minnesota Nurse Heads to Haiti  »

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Minnesota RN Barbara Warren-Bloms leaves Sunday (2-14-10) from MSP International Airport and becomes the first Minnesota nurse to be formally deployed to Haiti. Since the earthquake struck nearly one month ago, more than 300 Minnesota RNs have volunteered through the Minnesota Nurses Association to travel to Haiti.

“As nurses, it’s in our DNA to help,” says MNA President Linda Hamilton. “We don’t know any other way to operate. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Hastings or Haiti – our nurses want to be where they are needed.”

Warren-Bloms, one of 20,000 RNs who are members of the Minnesota Nurses Association, lives in Brooklyn Park and has been an RN for more than 15 years.
… Read more about: BREAKING NEWS: First Twin Cities Nurse Heading to Haiti!  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Uj8jNRD9U]

In case you missed it, here’s a short video summarizing what was truly an amazing turnout from hundreds upon hundreds of Minnesotans from all over the state and all walks of life. We all came together to demand our legislators restore the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program, which provides health insurance for the poor and homeless in our state. Truly an incredible event!
… Read more about: 2010 Save GAMC Rally – A day to remember!  »

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MARSHALL, Minn. – This isn’t exactly what you call putting patients first.

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center is threatening to break a public promise by closing its popular Home Health Care program, which annually provides thousands of home nursing and wellness visits to many of Marshall’s 15,000 residents.

“We’re a small community. People here take care of one another,” says Val Buysse, a Registered Nurse who has spent more than 15 years working in Avera’s Home Care program. “Why would our town’s only hospital turn its back on the people who need its services most?
… Read more about: Minnesota Hospital to Patients: Trust Us … Until We Change Our Mind  »

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(Posted Feb. 3 at 5:oo p.m. Central)

Dear Fellow MNA Member,

We wanted to share with you the very latest on a critical patient safety issue involving the Minnesota Board of Nursing and the scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).

The MNA has serious concerns for the safety of patients and nurses regarding the Board of Nursing’s proposal to re-interpret and expand the current scope of practice of a Licensed Practical Nurse in the areas of assessment, delegation, and supervision with no additional education.

At today’s Board of Nursing Practice Committee Meeting, members of MNA, faculty members of Minnesota nursing schools and LPNs testified for more than 90 minutes about this issue.
… Read more about: Update on Critical Patient Safety Issue and MN Board of Nursing  »

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnJ6MH9RCtA]

Actor James Gandolfini, best know for his role as Tony Soprano on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” recently taped this PSA for TV and radio stations all across the United States. If you’re able to support the more than 12,000 nurses (including more than 300 from Minnesota!) who have volunteered to serve in Haiti over the coming weeks and months, please visit the Send A Nurse Web site as soon as you can to make a pledge! Our nurses have to pay for all transportation, food, water and lodging while in Haiti. Please help if you can, and pass this YouTube link on to others!
… Read more about: Take it from Tony Soprano – Nurses Need Your Help!  »

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U.S. Navy continues Haiti relief operations

More than 11,000 RNs from all over the United States have already volunteered to go to Haiti, including close to 300 nurses from Minnesota. As nurses, it is in our DNA to help out when we see someone in need, and to use our training and experience to care for the sick and injured – no matter where they are. We’re proud of the MNA Nurses who are able to donate their time and talents to the Haiti relief effort, and if you can join them, go here. Also, our nurses need financial support to pay for their travel, lodging, food, water and medical supplies while they are in Haiti.
… Read more about: U.S. Nurses Headed to Haiti – Can you help?  »