News & Events
MNA Legislative Update #8
06.20.2011
The Michigan Legislature is working to wrap up some key issues before taking a break for the July 4th holiday. Unfortunately, more attacks on the benefits of public employees are expected to be included in the bills that are acted on this week.
HB 4572 – Capping Health Benefits for Public Employees
The House Oversight, Elections and Reforms Committee will meet on Tuesday to take action on HB 4572, which will cap the amount that public employers can pay to provide their employees with health care benefits. HB 4572 caps the amount at $15,000 a year for family coverage, $10,000 for two-person coverage and $5,000 to cover a single person. Any cost beyond these amounts will have to be paid by the employee. These are decisions that should be made at the bargaining table through the collective bargaining process. Please write your state representative today and ask him/her to oppose HB 4572!
Legislature Begins Redistricting Process
Once every decade, after the census has been completed, the boundary lines for all congressional, state senate and state house districts must be redrawn to reflect any shifts in population. That process started in Michigan on Friday with the release of the Republican proposal on how those lines should be redrawn.
Political parties often try to gain partisan advantage by drawing these lines in a way to help their party win a majority in the House and Senate. That appears to be what the Republicans are trying to do this time around. These maps will be taken up in the House Redistricting and Elections Committee on Tuesday.
APRN Legislation Introduced in House and Senate
Legislation to authorize Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice to the full extent of their education, including prescriptive authority and practice autonomy, was introduced in the state House and Senate last week. House Bill 4774 was introduced by Rep. Lesia Liss, RN (D-Warren) and Senate Bill 481 was introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Grand Rapids). Both bills have been sent to their chambers Health Policy Committee. Please call or write your state legislators today and tell them you support these important bills!
Rally on Wall Street in Support of a Main Street Contract for the American People
National Nurses United and other unions will be holding a rally on Wall Street in New York City on Wednesday in support of NNU’s campaign to create a Main Street Contract for the American People. Key provisions of that contract include:
- Jobs at living wages
- Equal access to quality education
- Guaranteed healthcare for all
- A secure retirement
- Good housing and protection from hunger
- A safe, clean and healthy environment
- A just taxation system
Go to www.minurses.org for additional information on how you can get involved in the Main Street campaign.
Staying informed is critical, as well as getting involved at the local level. Get yourself out there, call or write your legislators, let us help you set up in district meetings with them, and take some time to go to their monthly coffee hours. It is imperative that we all get involved and stay involved with this process.
