SEIU marches for Healthcare for All!

Hundreds of SEIU members coming from cities statewide joined thousands of participants for ‘Healthcare for All in 2009’ in Seattle on Saturday.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member and Swedish nurse Linda Arkava addressed the broad coalition of almost 200 labor groups, community groups, civic organizations, grassroots organizations, women's organizations and immigrant groups during the May 30 Health Care For All Rally.

“I see many patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure – and it doesn’t have to be that way. Some of them are uninsured and waited too long to go to the doctor because they couldn’t afford it. Others are underinsured, and end up in a healthcare crisis only to find out their insurance won’t cover their treatment or they can’t afford their deductible. Either way, they end up admitted to my unit, where their care and treatment takes much longer and costs thousands of dollars more. We spend so much on healthcare in this country, but get so little, and then we still don’t have the healthcare  we need, for everyone. It’s time for healthcare that actually protects all of us when we need it.”

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View photos of the May 30 Healthcare for All Rally

Watch the slideshow here

Download photos here

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July 15: Healthcare Opinion Leader Forum in Spokane

Join SEIU Healthcare 1199NW President Diane Sosne, SEIU members, AARP, and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for a free “Health Care Opinion Leader Forum,” on Wednesday, July 15 in Spokane.

In America today, it is a struggle for millions of people to afford the health care they need. The threat of rising insurance premiums and the prospect of losing coverage has become a constant concern for too many American families.
We must act and we must act now. If we don't, the next generation will be the first in American history to be less well off than their parents.

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2009 Legislative Session: Devastating cuts to healthcare

The 2009 state legislative session just concluded, leaving us with some huge challenges ahead but also some notable victories.

The Legislature made significant budget cuts over the next two years in healthcare, education and social services. Legislators voted down a tax increase, so cuts were inevitable and we fought to protect vital services as much as possible.

Healthcare cuts total over $1 billion, including major cuts in:

• Programs like the Basic Health Plan and Healthy Options, which serve low and moderate income people;
• Payments to hospitals for Medicaid patients and other low-income patients;
• Outpatient services for children and adults;
• Community mental health: millions in cuts (Medicaid and non-Medicaid and innovative programs)
• Chemical dependency treatment services: $15 million in cuts.
• Reduce 30 beds available at Western State Hospital by 2010.
• No cost of living increase (COLA) for state employees the next 2 years (this does not include HMC employees).
• Budget & program cuts in both DSHS & DOH.

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SEIU Healthcare 1199NW nurse calls for healthcare reform at White House forum

 Don Miller, an emergency room nurse and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW member from Swedish Medical Center joined Governors Chris Gregoire and Arnold Schwarzenegger at a regional White House Forum on health care on April 6 in California.

Don told the crowd that he began his nursing career in the Emergency Department, and he’s still working in the Emergency Department at Swedish Medical Center, first hill campus. He spoke about the important issues of funding for mental health, drug/alcohol dependency and homeless programs, and how lack of funding for these programs impacts the country's emergency departments.

“Our emergency rooms have become the dumping grounds for America’s broken healthcare system,” Miller told the crowd. “The crushing costs of our current system, along with the human costs, cannot be ignored any longer. If we’re going to build an economy with lasting strength, we have to bring down healthcare costs and cover everyone."

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State budget crisis: It's time to protect what matters

 Our union is working with the Washington Hospital Association and other healthcare groups on advertisements that will tell the public about state budget proposals that will slash health care funding in the current state budget by more than $1 billion.

Proposed cuts include the Basic Health Plan, General Assistance-Unemployable, chemical dependency programs, and a reduction in hospital reimbursement rates, and others.

Our hospitals will face overcrowded emergency rooms, reduction in hospital services, and potential job losses.

These critical healthcare programs save our state money by providing cost-effective, timely treatment. Cutting these programs won’t save our state money – we’ll pay more in the long run, in both human costs and financial impact.
We’re asking legislators to find altnernate solutions to an all-cuts budget. We need a solution that includes new revenues. During tough economic times, we need healthcare now, more than ever.

Watch the ad here:

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SEIU files Unfair Labor Practice charges against CHS

Union members at Valley Hospital & Medical Center and Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane filed Unfair Labor Practice charges, asserting that Community Health Systems is refusing to engage in good faith negotiations, promoting anti-union activity, failing to supply information on CHS's medical and dental plans, and refusing to provide documents for the 401K plan.

The Unfair Labor Practices were filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, March 16.

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SEIU members take action for Change That Works!

 The Economy in Crisis
Millions of Americans are reeling from the nation’s severe economic crisis and need immediate action on solutions that work for everyone.  Unemployment is at historic levels, Americans are losing health insurance on a daily basis, and corporate greed has increased the income gap between those at the very top, and those of us in the middle class.

What is the solution?
As a Union, we are working to make sure Congress and our new President enact solutions to revive the American middle class, which in turn will help solve our state’s budget shortfall.

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Washington kids win Children's Health Insurance Program

President Obama has signed an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which includes a “fair share fix” secured by Senator Maria Cantwell to get more Washington state children access to quality affordable health care. Under Cantwell’s fix, Washington state will receive and be able to use more federal money to provide health care for vulnerable low-income children. 

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW nurse Sally O'Neill from Swedish Medical Center spoke at the CHIP press conference in Seattle.

"This program is a lifeline to families struggling to survive during these tough times, and it ensures that children will get the healthcare that they need.  Children need access to immunizations, regular doctor visits, and preventive medicine. We know that when they have access to affordable healthcare, their health outcomes are consistently better. No one should have to choose between health care for their kids and making a mortgage or rent payment."

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Safe Staffing Victory at Valley Medical Center: Watch the video!

Nurses at Valley Medical Center in Renton just reached an agreement with Valley Medical Center administration that will improve nurse staffing. Valley Medical Center will hire Designated Break Relief Nurses who will take care of patients while nurses take their breaks and lunches in the Med-surg, Renal Respiratory, Cardiac PCU, Oncology, Mother-Baby and Labor & Delivery, and CCU units. And, Charge Nurses wil be unassigned and not included in the staffing matrix, which means they’ll be available to provide valuable support and resources to our units.

Watch the video:

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