Nurses Association to rally March 8 against state budget cuts

LATHAM, Mar. 4, 2010 — The New York State Nurses Association will rally at the Capitol on Monday, March 8 to protest $1 billion in proposed cuts to health care in the Executive State Budget. The rally kicks off a multi-media campaign that includes print, billboard and television advertising in major markets statewide.

More than 300 registered nurses will gather in West Capitol Park to tell lawmakers that an under-funded budget equals under-staffed facilities. The rally will begin at 11:30 a.m. and legislators scheduled to speak include Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Assemblywoman Susan John, Senator Diane Savino, and Senator Tom Duane.

Speaking on behalf of the Nurses Association are: NYSNA President Karen Ballard; National Federation of Nurses President Barbara Crane; President, NYSNA Delegate Assembly Rod Rocca; President, Local 436 AFSCME Judith Arroyo; Sharon Kennish, RN & CEO, St. Catherine's Medical Center, Christopher Berner, Vice President of Labor & Employee Relations, Montefiore Medical Center; and Sondra Olendorf, RN, Maimonides Medical Center of Brooklyn.

Hospitals, nursing homes and public health programs face a combined reduction of more than $562 million in payments for services and $250 million in increased assessment on services delivered. These cuts have the potential to severely limit access to care and endanger patient safety.

The current proposal also cuts funding by $143,100 to programs to expand SUNY nursing education; severely diminishing the state university system's ability to meet the needs of the nursing workforce over the next decade.

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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