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Update 1st quarter activities
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BREAKING NEWS - Ferriero to back Weinberg re-election
- Senator Loretta Weinberg and her running mates Assembly members
Valerie Huttle and Gordon Johnson of the 37th District will
be unopposed in the June 5 primary election !!.. Senator Weinberg and
her running mates have a solid record of supporting issues important to
the health care workers of this state and HPAE members in particular.
Click here to read Labors victory statement!
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HPAE was invited to meet with Senator Joseph Vitale, Chair
– Senate Health Human Services and Senior Services—to review his
proposal for expanding access to health care in NJ. In an effort to
examine the issues of the uninsured and affordability, Senator Vitale
began working with leading health care experts with particular
experience in New Jersey. Joined by David Knowlton, President and CEO
of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and Chairman of the
working group, Senator Vitale advised the groups focus has been to
cover the 1.3 million who are currently uninsured with an affordable and
portable insurance product.
The proposed legislation
would provide commercial grade individual policies with a statewide
network of providers. Two plans, an HMO and a PPO will be made
available to be purchased with pre-tax dollars. HPAE, along with other
consumer and labor groups will monitor this plan as legislation is
developed.
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Healthcare
Worker 'Safety Day’ focuses on High Injury Rates due to Unsafe Patient
Handling and Violence
On February 26, HPAE
members and equipment vendors provided hands-on demonstrations for state
legislators of patient handling equipment that would reduce the rate of
injury among nurses and healthcare workers. Our members also lobbied
for support for S1758/A3028 and S1761/A3027, legislation aimed at
reducing injury rates due to unsafe patient handling and violence in
healthcare workplaces. Both bills have passed the Senate and Assembly
Health Committees, and have been referred to the Assembly and Senate
Appropriations Committees.
To read the testimony
presented by HPAE click
click here.
Click on the links to CALL the
Senate
and
Assembly Budget
Committees urging them to post before committee for a vote!-
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Paid Family Leave - .
Paid Family Leave - Too many workers are forced to choose between
economic security and providing vital care for family members who need
it. Paid family leave is critical for workers, for families, and for the
workplace. Whether it is used to care for a newborn, sick child or older
relative, paid family leave enables workers to meet these care
responsibilities without jeopardizing their family’s income and
stability. As a member of the New Jersey Time To Care Coalition, HPAE
testified before the Senate Labor Committee in support of S 2249.
Click here
to read testimony
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2007 COPE Issue
Priorities
In addition to the Health and
Safety, Paid Family Leave legislation and Universal Healthcare, the COPE
committee has listed the following as those issues that will receive
priority in 2007.
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Re-Organization of UMDNJ with Rutgers University and New Jersey
Institute of Technology - HPAE has had a series of meetings with members
of the legislative UMDNJ reorganization task force, including Senators
Weinberg and Lesniak and Assembly members Karrow, Caraballo and Diegnan.
A draft position is being developed on the reorganization and will be
available online soon.
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Revitalize staffing ratios -
S810/A754 establishing minimum registered
professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory
surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
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Governor Corzine’s Rationalization Commission – HPAE is monitoring the
work of the Commission on the Rationalization of Healthcare Services, to
make sure that access to healthcare and accountability and transparency
by our healthcare institutions are the priority. Go to
www.nj.gov/health/rhc for more information on the Commission.
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MRSA –
S2580, introduced by Sen. Barbara
Buono (D18th) is aimed at controlling the spread of Methicillin
Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) in hospitals by requiring screening of
patients for MRSA; input from frontline caregivers in the development of
infection control policies and worker education on MRSA transmission and
control.
Click here to READ THE BILL.
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Elections
COPE is beginning the endorsement process by developing a
candidates’ questionnaire on issues important to HPAE’s members.
Member involvement is crucial in electing those candidates who best
represent and support the healthcare workers in New Jersey. We will
asking you for your views on the issues and to join HPAE and the NJ
AFL-CIO in Get Out The Vote efforts. Fill out the form below to let
COPE know your priorities. |