More than 100 registered nurses from across Florida will descend upon the state Capitol Thursday with legislators and partner organizations, asking Governor Charlie Crist to veto the Medicaid HMO bill, which would move our most vulnerable Floridians into for-profit HMOs in a risky expansion of Medicaid managed care.
Low income children, the developmentally disabled, pregnant women and seniors would face delays and denials in care if they are forced into for-profit, managed-care Medicaid. The legislation (SB 1484, HB 7223 and HB 7225) was pushed through this session with the backing of the for-profit HMO industry with little stakeholder input. Health providers, consumer advocates, social services and community leaders have grave concerns about the impact this legislation would have on 2.8 million Floridians now enrolled in Medicaid and the millions eligible for the program with expansion of coverage under health reform.
Nurses will also rally for funding to support the state’s public hospital systems, such as Jackson Health System, which provide millions of dollars in uncompensated care to the state’s poor and uninsured, yet are struggling due to the current economy and a decline in tax revenues. Nurses are advocating for no further cuts to hospital reimbursements, Low Income Pool funding, a redesign of the state’s Medicaid system and support of the recently enacted Federal health care reform legislation.
Nurses also support specific pieces of legislation related to safe staffing, which would require each hospital to incorporate safe unit-specific, RN-to-patient ratios and gives the caregiver the right to refuse unsafe patient assignments, among several other measures.
Martha Baker, RN, President of SEIU Local 1991, which represents the RNs, doctors and healthcare professionals at Jackson Health System, and other RN leaders from around the state will be available for interviews at the press conference on Thursday, April 22 at 12:15 p.m. at the 4th Floor Capital Rotunda, outside Senate Chambers
What: Rally and Press Conference
When: 12:15 PM, Thursday, April 22nd
Where: 4th Floor Capitol Rotunda, outside Senate Chambers
Who: 100 Registered Nurses from throughout Florida, Nurse Leaders from all major nurse organizations, Legislators who support Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act and funding for Jackson Health System.
