NEW YORK NURSE: October 2011
September 24, 2011
New Section 3. A member shall not hold more than one appointed position simultaneously unless the member’s particular expertise is essential to more than one committee or council.
Current Sections 3 and 4 become 4 and 5.
New Section 5. Simultaneous Service
A member shall not hold more than one appointed position simultaneously unless the member’s particular expertise is essential to more than one committee or council.
Current Sections 5 and 6 become 6 and 7.
New Section 5.
Members shall be eligible to serve in only one elective position in NYSNA at any one time. Elective positions of NYSNA are: board of directors (officers and directors at large); nominating committee; election committee; executive committees of practice focus groups; Delegate Assembly; executive committee of the Congress of Local Bargaining Unit Leaders.
Proviso as adopted by the NYSNA Voting Body, September 24, 2011:
All those members currently sitting in multiple positions would be allowed to complete their terms.
APPROVED BY THE 2011 VOTING BODY
WHEREAS, bargaining unit members of NYSNA in both private and public sectors are fighting to salvage pensions;
WHEREAS, bargaining unit members of NYSNA are fighting to protect their medical benefits as well as extend retiree health care;
WHEREAS, wage scales for RNs must be commensurate with services performed;
WHEREAS, RN layoffs must be stopped in the face of severe RN shortages;
WHEREAS, RN replacement with unskilled personnel, endangering patients, must be stopped;
WHEREAS, the workplace environment of RNs and all health workers must be violence free and hazard free: therefore be it
RESOLVED, that NYSNA immediately galvanize its resources to develop a winning strategic corporate campaign that addresses the needs of all of its members who face draconian cuts and contractual assaults.
APPROVED BY THE 2011 VOTING BODY
WHEREAS, the NYSNA Council on Nursing Practice and Practice Focus Groups believe the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services’ (CMS) conditions of participation (COPs) and related standards regarding mechanical/physical/chemical restraints create barriers to safe, effective, autonomous nursing practice: therefore be it
RESOLVED, that NYSNA will:
APPROVED BY THE 2011 VOTING BODY
WHEREAS, there are currently more than 3 million Medicare beneficiaries in New York State (Kaiser state health facts, 2011);
WHEREAS, the number of Medicare beneficiaries is projected to increase by 30% by the year 2020 (Medicare trustees, 2011);
WHEREAS, access to comprehensive, quality, affordable, culturally competent, community-based healthcare is a basic human right, not a privilege;
WHEREAS, an efficient equitable healthcare delivery and payment system is needed to eliminate health disparities related to gender, age, race, ethnicity, education and income levels, disability, geographic location, and sexual orientation;
WHEREAS, basic comprehensive health care for all must include, at a minimum, preventive and screening services, primary care, acute and outpatient hospital services, mental health care, rehabilitative services, palliative care, long-term care, and prescription drugs;
WHEREAS, Medicare has recognized and supported the autonomous practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs): therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the New York State Nurses Association support Medicare reform which:
- allows APRNs to practice to the full extent of their scope of practice;
- does not impede access to healthcare services, especially in underserved areas;
- does not increase out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries;
- does not inhibit timely and affordable patient care; and be it further
RESOLVED, that NYSNA develop an action plan to include the following:
- the development of a position statement outlining the Association’s vision for Medicare reform; and
- a plan to share the position statement, once developed, with ANA and other organizations, as appropriate; and
- a coordinated plan that outlines an intensification of activity and leadership in the legislative arena where possible and in our affiliations where applicable to organize and mobilize around Medicare reform.