UNAC/UHCP Nurses educate the American public about health care reform legislation
PHOTO AND CAPTION: UNAC/UHCP nurses joined in AFSCME’s national campaign to make house calls to the American public and educate them about the health care reform legislation being considered in Congress.
In early October, several UNAC/UHCP Registered Nurses traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Little Rock, Arkansas and Fargo, North Dakota to make door-to-door “house calls” in an effort to educate residents about health care reform currently making its way through Congress. UNAC/UHCP volunteers spent several days canvassing local precincts as part of the “House Calls for Health Care Reform” campaign spearheaded by AFSCME International.
As direct providers and advocates of health care services, the volunteer nurses saw their involvement as a valuable instrument toward bringing the voice of reason to what has become a politically contentious health care debate.
“I strongly believe that it is my duty as a nurse to do what I can to make sure the public has the information it needs to evaluate the benefits and risks of health care reform,” stated Valentina Zamora-Arreola, an RN at Kaiser Bellflower. “People deserve to have the facts they need to make a decision that is right for them.”
The UNAC/UHCP RNs who participated in the campaign were: Asela Omilig-Espiritu (Kaiser Orange County), Scott Byington (St. Francis of Lynwood), Becky Motlagh (UNAC/UHCP staff), Donna Smith (UNAC/UHCP staff), Victoria Rohrig (Kaiser Bellflower), Valentina Zamora-Arreola (Kaiser Bellflower), Cynthia Elizabeth Turner (Kaiser San Diego), Peter Sidhu (Kaiser Woodland Hills) and Belinda Redding (Kaiser Woodland Hills). Their efforts sought to galvanize key constituencies that can influence the raging debate over health care reform.
At 2:45AM Friday, May 11, UNAC/UHCP and the Coalition of Unions reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser covering 95,000 Kaiser employees across the country. Details to come.
Beverly RNs voted by 96% to approve a first contract on May 2, 2012 after a year long battle to secure wage increases, grievance and arbitration, and a voice in patient care.
“SB 1246 will help Registered Nurses provide safe patient care without worrying about hospitals cutting corners and jeopardizing the health of a patient,” said Barbara Blake, RN, State Secretary/Treasurer of UNAC/UHCP.
