City nurses oppose Bush health “reform”

New York, N.Y., January 25, 2007 – The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is calling upon New York’s congressional delegation to oppose President Bush’s Medicaid reform proposals that, if enacted, would drain billions of dollars from the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation (HHC).

In his State of the Union address, Bush unveiled a healthcare plan that would divert Medicaid monies intended for local public hospitals to state programs, resulting in New York City losing over $350 million yearly for the next five years.

“We are calling upon our representatives in Washington to block these so-called reforms,” said Tina Gerardi, RN, NYSNA interim executive director. “Our public hospitals are already in peril. The loss of Medicaid dollars would force the city to eliminate ambulatory care and close emergency rooms. This would be devastating for city residents who need healthcare services.”

Over 6400 HHC nurses, represented for collective bargaining by the New York State Nurses Association, serve throughout the corporation’s 11 hospitals, four nursing homes and more than 80 community clinics.

“Our nurses are dedicated public health advocates,” said Gerardi. “They are concerned about the impact on patient care if this plan is enacted.”

With more than 34,000 members, NYSNA is the oldest and largest state nurses’ association in the nation. It is an influential union for RNs, representing nurses in New York and New Jersey. Offering a wide range of services to its members, NYSNA fosters high standards of nursing education and practice and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. It is a constituent of the American Nurses Association and of the United American Nurses, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

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