Contact:

Ann Kettering Sincox, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 242 or (cell) 517.230.4086
ann.sincox@minurses.org

or

Ken Fletcher, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 226 or (cell) 517.449.1513

January 16, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNA endorses health care security ballot proposal

Okemos, MI – The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) has announced its endorsement of the 2008 ballot initiative campaign to seek health coverage for all Michigan citizens. When passed, the Michigan Health Care Security proposal would amend the Michigan State Constitution so that the legislature must create a plan to make health care coverage available to all residents of the state.

“As professional health care providers, nurses see the tragic results of citizens without proper medical care due to poor or no medical coverage every day. The emergency rooms are overflowing with people who cannot afford a simple visit to a primary care provider and only go to the ER when desperate for medical attention. This creates an overflowing emergency room, placing unrealistic demands on health care providers, and delaying treatment for actual emergencies. These circumstances are directly linked to the fact that people cannot receive effective medical treatment in a timely manner due to their lack of health coverage,” stated Tom Bissonnette, MS, RN, MNA Executive Director of Nursing Practice and Operations.

The initiative states: “The State Legislature shall pass laws to make sure that every Michigan resident has affordable and comprehensive health care coverage through a fair and cost effective financing system. The legislature is required to pass a plan that, through public or private measures, controls health care costs and provides for medically necessary preventive, primary, acute and chronic health care needs.”

“The Michigan Health Care Security initiative is a necessary step for the state to take in regard to the health of its citizens,” says Ken Fletcher, MNA Director of Government Relations. “Although there have been suggestions and ideas put forth on health care reform, these have died on the vine due to lack of attention and funding. This initiative forces the issue of Michigan’s health out in the open and demands a solution through the legislative process.”

Currently, the Michigan Health Care Security Campaign is seeking signatures to ensure that the initiative is on the November 2008 ballot. For more information on the initiative and the petition, go to www.healthcareformichigan.com.

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