ANA Nurses Answer Call To Support Obama's Stand For Health Care Reform

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Sep 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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Members of the American Nurses Association (ANA) joined President Obama today to demonstrate their strong support for the President and his speech to the joint session of the U.S. Congress last night urging action on health reform that would provide more security and stability to those with health insurance and guarantee access to affordable health care for those without it.

Registered nurses traveled to the White House event from as far away as California and Washington State to emphasize that further delay signals acceptance of an intolerable status quo that leaves too many people without basic access to needed health services and that endangers the financial stability of families, employers, and the government.

ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR praised President Obama at his first public appearance on health care reform since addressing Congress for advocating for people who lack access to basic health care services in the nation's "broken system" and for fighting for consumer protections in the health insurance market. Long ranked as the nation's most trusted profession by Gallup's annual survey, nursing has advocated for health system reform for two decades.

"As nurses, every day we see first-hand the heart-breaking consequences of our nation's flawed system," Patton said. "We see patients in danger when they can't access or afford the care they need. We hold a patient's hand when they learn that their health insurance coverage has been denied or cancelled. And we see the day-to-day human cost of this system -- in the eyes of our patients and their families."

ANA values patient choice and believes that a public health insurance plan should be an option in the proposed insurance marketplace Exchange. It addresses the absolute necessity of providing broader choice for patients, while increasing affordability, fostering robust marketplace competition, and ensuring access to services. Particularly in a proposal where everyone would be required by law to have insurance, the absence of a public plan option would leave people with limited choices or leverage. People deserve a choice and a chance for peace of mind regarding their health and that of their families.

President Obama complimented registered nurses for their compassion, dedication and professionalism, citing his work with the profession as a legislator to improve the health care system and his personal experiences with nurses who cared for his family members during serious illnesses.

"You're the bedrock of our medical profession," President Obama said. "You're on the frontlines of health care in small clinics and in large hospitals in rural towns and big cities all across this country. So, few people understand as well as you why today's health care system so badly needs reform."

ANA is encouraging its members to get involved in the health care reform effort and to contact their representatives in Congress to tell their personal stories and urge action this year through its dedicated Web page, http://www.RNaction.org/healthcare.

Source
American Nurses Association