NYSNA Nurses, Union Healthcare Workers, Advocates and Elected Officials Come Together to Raise up Budget Priorities in the Face of Attacks on Healthcare
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 11
Contact: Andrea Penman-Lomeli | press@nysna.org | 347-559-3169
Kristi Barnes | press@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
NYSNA NURSES, UNION HEALTHCARE WORKERS, ADVOCATES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS COME TOGETHER TO RAISE UP BUDGET PRIORITIES IN THE FACE OF ATTACKS ON HEALTHCARE
Hundreds of NYSNA members gathered in the state capital to demand that Albany pass a budget that invests in safe patient care.
Nurses called for safe staffing enforcement, fair hospital funding, expanded nurse recruitment and retention programs and quality healthcare for all.
Albany, N.Y.– On Tuesday, March 11, hundreds of New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) nurses and healthcare professionals descended on the state capitol for their annual lobby day. This year, nurses called on legislators to invest in quality care for all New Yorkers in the face of national attacks on healthcare. They sounded the alarm on the continued staffing crisis that puts patient care at risk.
Over 600 nurses and healthcare professionals met with hundreds of legislators. At noon, they held a press conference with healthcare workers, allies, and elected leaders, including New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Gustavo Rivera, Senator Jessica Ramos, Senator Robert Jackson, Assembly Member Harry Bronson, Assembly Member Karines Reyes, Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forest, and 1199 SEIU.
Over the course of the day, NYSNA members shared their experiences and demanded that lawmakers pass a budget that protects the health of all New Yorkers.
NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, said “We know what’s happening in Washington, D.C. right now puts patient safety at risk. We know devastating cuts to Medicaid, defunding of our public health system, and discrimination against patients based on insurance status, immigration status, gender, gender identity, or any other status is wrong and harms US ALL! Nurses, healthcare workers and our healthcare champions are here today to say, ‘Not in New York!”
NYSNA nurses demand a budget that prioritizes:
- Safe staffing in every hospital and nursing home.
- Investment in nurse recruitment and retention programs.
- Defending quality patient care and professional standards of nursing practice.
- Workplace violence prevention.
- Fair funding to save our public and safety-net hospitals.
- Defending Medicaid funding for the millions who rely on it.
- Expanding access to healthcare services, including maternal and mental healthcare.
- Advocating for long-term solutions like the NY Health Act.
Sonia Lawrence, RN, BSN, at Lincoln Hospital and president of NYSNA’s NYC H+H/Mayorals Executive Council, said, “We need to stop the cuts at the federal level and defend our Medicaid funding here in New York. If we don’t succeed, it won’t just be some hospital services that close, it’ll be entire hospitals across the state. This isn’t just about hospitals like mine. Our entire healthcare system would collapse without fair funding to public and safety net hospitals. Private hospitals rely on us to maintain their profitability. We need fair funding to support the hospitals doing a disproportionate share of unpaid and underpaid care.”
In their discussions, NYSNA nurses shared the most pressing threats to nursing and patient care today and offered solutions. They shared their experiences of enforcement of the safe staffing law enacted in 2021, and demanded greater accountability for bad actors. They highlighted Albany Medical Center, which received a deficiency report from the Department of Health with a historic 500+ violations of the staffing law, and the hospital’s continued failure to safely staff. They spoke about strengthening the nursing pipeline, standing firmly against the closure of vital maternal and mental health services, and defending nursing practice standards.
Jennifer Bejo, RN, local NYSNA leader at Albany Medical Center, said, “Our local community and elected allies have shown incredible support and shown that they will not be silent as Albany Med puts patient care at risk. However, we need more. We need the DOH to enforce the law and hold bad actors accountable. We need safe staffing now!”
Marion Enright, RN, NYSNA director at large, said: “New York also needs to do more to grow the nursing workforce. I’ve mentored many nurses in my career, and I’ve seen so many new nurses come and go –we really have a revolving door at Nathan Littauer. We need to improve hospital conditions, so they stay. New York should expand nursing school capacity, loan forgiveness and education and training programs and retention programs for nurses. A budget that’s good for nurses is good for patients, and good for the health of all New Yorkers.”
With federal attacks on healthcare funding and the rights of patients, now more than ever, New York must do more to protect and invest in fair hospital funding, especially for public and safety-net hospitals.
New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, said, “Nurses are dedicated professionals who pride themselves on providing the best quality care to their patients, which is why we fought for and won a safe staffing law to ensure better patient outcomes. It is time for our hospitals and nursing homes to adhere to these safety standards. More vigorous enforcement and accountability must be established to allow nurses to provide the best care possible. In addition to addressing the staffing crisis, we must protect nurse practice standards, improve recruitment and retention of nurses, and ensure workplace safety.”
New York State Assembly Member Harry B. Bronson, Chair, Assembly Labor Committee, said, “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. As Assembly Labor Chair, I am proud to stand with NYSNA to echo the call for enforcing safe staffing in every hospital and nursing home! It is time to do what’s right to ensure hospitals are accountable for maintaining staffing levels that protects our hardworking nurses and provides the highest quality of care to our patients.”
Assembly Member Amy Paulin, Chair, Assembly Health Committee, said, “Thank you to the nurses and frontline healthcare workers who rallied today in Albany and rally every day to serve patients and our most vulnerable population.”
Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair, Senate Labor Committee, said, “With the threat of federal cuts to Medicaid, this is the point where New York needs to draw a line in the sand. Five years ago, we applauded nurses for putting their well-being on the line as they kept our loved ones safe through COVID-19. But I have been on more nurse's picket lines since that time than ever during my labor movement career. It's time to commit to safe staffing, it's time to commit to high quality, accessible health care, it's time to commit to public health over insurance executive profits."
“Our nurses are the beating heart of our healthcare system—the first to comfort, the last to leave. Yet, they are being asked to do more with less, while hospitals struggle to keep up. This is not just a crisis; it’s a moral failure. Safe staffing, fair funding, and health equity are not negotiable. They are the foundation of a just healthcare system,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “I stand with NYSNA, I stand with our nurses, and I will fight in every budget battle to ensure New York honors its duty to those who heal our communities. The time for action is now!"
Senator James Sanders, Jr., said, "New York’s nurses are raising their voices for safer working conditions, fair hospital funding, and stronger investments in healthcare. Their fight is our fight. We need a budget that prioritizes patient care over profits, strengthens Medicaid, and ensures our frontline workers have the support they need. I proudly stand with NYSNA and urge my colleagues to take action now."
Senator James Skoufis, said, "Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and while I always appreciate a chance to meet with NYSNA members to thank them for their frontline, the best way to show gratitude for their efforts is with action. This is why I strongly support legislation addressing staffing shortages, among other critical issues, including proper and full enforcement of existing laws that protect these workers. I'm proud to stand with NYSNA as they advocate for safety and equity for their members and patients alike."
“As we face ongoing challenges in our healthcare system, we must stand with NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals in their fight for safe staffing, fair funding, and quality care for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and their advocacy for safer working conditions and stronger patient protections benefits every community across our state. I fully support their call for investment in nurse recruitment and retention, defending Medicaid funding, and ensuring our hospitals are properly resourced to provide the care New Yorkers deserve. We must pass a budget that prioritizes health equity and enforces safe staffing laws to hold hospitals accountable for the well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.”
Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, said, “Our healthcare system runs on the backs of nurses—and when we’re overworked and understaffed, patients suffer. Safe staffing isn’t just about fairness for nurses, it’s about ensuring every New Yorker gets the quality care they deserve. We need real investment in our healthcare workforce, not just empty promises. Albany must step up, fund our hospitals and home care services, and respect the people who keep our communities healthy.”
Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, said, “As the Trump administration works to obliterate Medicaid and our core healthcare systems, we must unapologetically secure funds to reinforce our healthcare workforce and maintain critical access to healthcare for all New Yorkers. The pandemic left a lasting impact on New York and so many of our neighbors and frontline workers suffered tremendously because our workforce was overwhelmed and we were underprepared. We’re still dealing with the traumatic effects of COVID-19 and our workforce is in dire need of growth. We have to be proactive by investing in our workforce development, recruitment and retention. We must defend Medicaid, otherwise we will risk the lives and endanger millions of New Yorkers that rely on it. We have to push for long-term solutions like the NY Health Act. I am urging my colleagues in the legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes the vitality of New Yorkers and supports the growth of our crucial healthcare workforce. Healthcare is a human right and we must fight to protect it.”
Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, said, “As we welcome NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals to Albany on March 11, we stand in solidarity with their fight for safe staffing, fair funding, and quality care for all New Yorkers. Our frontline workers deserve the resources and protections necessary to provide the highest standard of care. It’s time to enforce safe staffing laws, invest in nurse retention, and ensure our healthcare system prioritizes people over profits."
Assembly Member Phil Steck, said, “I continue to stand in full support of NYSNA nurses and healthcare professionals as they advocate for safe staffing, fair contracts, and critical investments in nurse recruitment and retention. Our nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they continue to face unsafe working conditions, chronic understaffing, and unfair wages that make it harder to provide the quality care all New Yorkers deserve."
“Nurses do tireless work on the frontlines of our fragile healthcare system, and through the past decade, they have consistently been asked to do more with fewer resources. I stand with nurses and healthcare professionals from across New York state to advocate for safe staffing, fair hospital funding, and quality healthcare for each and every New Yorker,” said Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera. “Strong enforcement of New York’s staffing law is critical to holding hospitals accountable and protecting both patients and providers. I urge my colleagues in government to prioritize healthcare investment in this year’s budget, because when we support our nurses, we support the well-being of our neighbors, our family members, and ourselves.”
Assembly Member Noah Burroughs, said, “Nurses and healthcare professionals are the backbone of our communities. The services they provide keep us healthy and guarantee the quality medical care everyone deserves in this country. I’m so grateful to the dedicated members of NYSNA in my district and across the state who have come to the state’s Capitol to ensure healthcare remains a critical priority in New York!”
Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, said, “As New York’s healthcare system faces growing challenges, the voices of frontline nurses and healthcare professionals must be heard. Safe staffing, fair hospital funding, and strong investments in recruitment and retention are not just policy choices—they’re life-saving commitments. Lobby days like this bring their firsthand experiences to the halls of our State Capitol, ensuring that patient care remains the priority. NYSNA nurses are not just advocating for better conditions; they’re fighting for the future of healthcare in New York, and we must stand with them.”
Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, said, "New York’s nurses are on the frontlines every day, delivering high-quality health care to residents across New York State. We must invest and support nurses by ensuring strong enforcement of our staffing laws, investing in recruitment and retention, and protecting Medicaid and our safety-net hospitals. When we support our nurses, we strengthen our entire healthcare system and deliver the care our communities deserve."
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The New York State Nurses Association represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.