The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has sponsored legislation, Senate Bill 1111 (Negrete-McCloud), to reform health care boards under their jurisdiction, including the Board of Registered Nursing. Barbara Blake, UNAC/UHCP State Secretary, met with the bill’s sponsors to discuss three major areas of concern with the bill: mandatory posting of home addresses of health care professionals reported to licensing boards; mandatory reporting of any suspension or termination for the causes listed in the bill; and no prohibition on “borrowing” fees paid to health care boards for other purposes. We will continue to follow SB 1111 to ensure our members’ and the public’s interests are protected.
Senator Mark Leno’s single-payer legislation (SB 810), a UNAC/UHCP high priority bill, cleared a major hurdle by passing out of the house of origin by the January 31, 2010 deadline. If signed by the Governor, SB 810 would create a framework for the California Healthcare System (CHS), establish a Premium Commission to determine the cost of CHS, develop an affordable premium structure, and consider other analyses of universal health care proposals. Support and opposition of the bill is divided along party lines. Several Democrats spoke in support of the bill; Republican opposition was largely focused on anti-big government concepts.
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.
