MNA state legislative
priorities 2015-2016
• Ensure safe patient care (nurse-patient
ratios and no mandation)
• Enable Advanced Practice Registered
Nurses to practice to the full extent of
their education
• Protect collective bargaining rights
The nurse leaders of the Michigan Nurses Association,
the largest union and professional organization representing
registered nurses in Michigan, direct the organization’s public
policy agenda.
MNA is a nonpartisan organization. We strive to work with
all lawmakers, regardless of party, to advance public policy that
supports nurses, patients and all workers. We take our responsibility
to be the voice of ALL Registered Nurses very seriously.
The MNA Board of Directors, on recommendations from the
Congress on Public Policy, has set the top three state legislative
priorities for the 2015-2016 session:
MNA can help you at every step.
For information on legislation or how to become
more politically active, contact Dawn Kettinger,
MNA Director of Advocacy and Outreach at
[email protected] or 517-853-5519.
• Ensure safe patient care (nurse-patient ratios and no
mandation)
MNA continues to be the only Michigan organization
working to address RNs’ top concern: making hospitals provide
adequate RN staffing so every patient can receive safe, optimal
care. The voice of frontline nurses is crucial to passing a law that
sets minimum nurse-patient ratios by unit and bans mandatory
overtime. The safe staffing movement among RNs is growing,
and MNA will keep pushing back against hospitals’ focus
on profits over patients. MNA is working with legislators to
re-introduce the Safe Patient Care Act – stay tuned for the bill
numbers! Find out how you can be involved at www.minurses.
org/safepatientcare.
You can also help us build this movement by sharing your
unsafe patient care story at: http://minurses.org/share-your-story.
• Enable Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to
practice to the full extent of their education
MNA has heard from a number of members regarding
the APRN legislation (Senate Bill 68) pending before the
Legislature. We were disappointed to learn that other parties
had spread misinformation regarding MNA’s process and
position. This bill has gone through the same thorough,
democratic, transparent process that MNA’s nurse leaders
use to evaluate all legislation, and that includes taking into
account the input of our members and the needs of all RNs.
We take our role as the voice of Michigan’s Registered Nurses
extremely seriously.
After careful consideration of the substitute version of
SB 68, as of April 28th, the Michigan Nurses Association
Board of Directors has voted to take a neutral position.
MNA is pleased that the bill no longer contains harmful
elements that MNA fought to remove from the previous
version. These include adding physicians to the Board of
Nursing and allowing courts to use physician standards to
hold APRNs accountable. Such elements would have handed
control of RN practice to physicians and compromised the
very integrity of nursing in Michigan.
MNA appreciates the considerable time and careful
consideration that Sen. Shirkey and his staff and the Senate
Health Policy Committee have put into this issue. There’s no
doubt that APRN legislation will continue to be a source of
(over)
debate in both chambers in the months to come. MNA
will continue to monitor this legislation as it moves
through the process.
As the largest organization representing Registered
Nurses in Michigan, we now turn our focus to our top
priority: improving patient safety by establishing safe
limits on the number of patients assigned to RNs. We
look forward to reintroducing the Safe Patient Care Act
and making progress on this life-saving legislation.
• Protect collective bargaining rights Healthcare works best when nurses have a strong voice
in patient care. Collective bargaining protects nurses so
they can band together to change their workplace for the
better. It is the best tool RNs have to effectively advocate
for their patients and fight back against the corporate push
for profits at all costs. Through collective bargaining, MNA
members have achieved groundbreaking staffing guidelines,
safety protections and financial security. MNA will continue
to be vigilant against legislators’ efforts to limit collective
bargaining rights. As an overriding legislative principle, MNA leaders also
reiterated that, “The MNA continues to stand committed
to protecting the role of the RN, ensuring the health of our
communities and environment, and ensuring safety in the
workplace.”
How does MNA decide whether to support a bill?
MNA’s Congress on Public Policy, made up of member nurses,
carefully evaluates pending state legislation. The CPP makes
recommendations to the full MNA Board of Directors, which
then votes on MNA’s position.
CURRENT CONGRESS ON PUBLIC POLICY
Kelly Brunk, RN, Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)
Renee Curtis, RN, University of Michigan (UMPNC)
Ashley Forsberg, RN (Chair), Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)
Contact the Chair: [email protected]
LaShon Hart, RN, University of Michigan (UMPNC)
Jamie Langlois, RN, University of Michigan (UMPNC)
Bette O’Connor-Rogers, RN, Spectrum VNA
Pamela Maule, RN, Dickinson Healthcare System (Board Liaison)
What is the MNA-PAC?
Did you know that the Michigan Health and Hospital Association,
which opposes safe staffing ratios, spends $500,000 a year to
influence legislators? MNA’s only financial tool to counter that
influence at the Capitol is the MNA PAC.
The PAC Board evaluates candidates carefully and makes
recommendations to the Board on which are worthy of MNA’s
endorsement and financial support.
These decisions are based on candidates’ support for issues that
affect nurses and patients – not political party.
You may not realize that not one dime of your member
dues goes to the PAC fund. The PAC operates SOLELY on
voluntary donations from members. Even $5 a month can make
a difference.
Sign up at www.minursespac.org.
CURRENT MNA PAC BOARD
Mary Baker, RN, associate member
Ray Bourgeois, RN, University of Michigan (UMPNC)
Jeff Breslin, RN, Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)
Jamie Brown, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Board Liaison)
Kelly Brunk, RN, Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)
Donna Farrell-Charameda, RN, Borgess Medical Center
Ashley Forsberg, RN, Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)
Carolyn Hietamaki, RN (Chair), DLP/Marquette
Contact the Chair: [email protected]
Pamela Maule, RN, Dickinson Healthcare System
Kris Michaelson, RN, DLP/Marquette
Bette O’Connor-Rogers, RN, Spectrum VNA
Visit www.minurses.org to:
• Find out who your
legislators are
• Learn MNA’s positions on
pending legislation
• Sign up for our e-newsletter
What is the legislative liaison program?
Legislative liaisons are the core of MNA’s political action
program. These RNs work to lobby legislators, both in their
district and in Lansing. They also help keep their fellow nurses
up-to-date on legislation and opportunities to make a difference.
Legislative liaisons receive training and support to make the
program a success.
Interested? Visit www.minurses.org/legislation/legliaison or contact
Cameron Fure at 517.853.5511 or [email protected].