Union members bring Voices of Quality Care message back to State House as legislators debate payment reform - See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/union_members_bring_voices_of_quality_care_message_back_to_state_house_as_legislators_debate_payment_reform_

October 12, 2011

On Tuesday, October 4, nearly 200 health systems union members participated in a special Advocacy Day at the State House for members of 1199SEIU who work in Massachusetts hospitals and clinics.

As part of the 1199SEIU Voices of Quality Care campaign, members spoke to legislators about upcoming payment reform legislation, improving quality care, and managing the costs of healthcare.

The day started at the union hall in Dorchester, where union members discussed the hot button payment reform legislation that could change the way hospitals and other healthcare providers are paid by private insurers and the government.

As Congressional and Senate Republicans call for unprecedented cuts to Medicare and Medicaid programs, Veronica Turner, executive vice president of 1199SEIU, told participants that now is the time to rally on behalf of healthcare.

“Healthcare is under attack and we all need to be equipped,” she said, emphasizing the need for union members to be vigilant in standing up for healthcare and having a voice in state and national healthcare policy decisions.

Union members spoke with legislators about the importance of protecting community and safety net hospitals; ensuring that hospitals and community health centers provide training opportunities for union members whose jobs may change as a result of payment reform legislation; improving the amount of money hospitals are paid for providing care to Medicaid patients; and giving healthcare workers a voice in how changes are implemented in the hospitals.

"It's important that we voice our concerns to the right people who can help us protect quality care," said Sheryl Debarros, a union member at BMC.

Keila Price, another member at BMC, said that she saw changes in her facility that caused concern: “I see the cuts. There are fewer staff. Patients are not being taken care of.”

Michelle Joyce, a physical therapist at Jordan Hospital, said that the key to overcoming these difficult economic times is to give patients the best care possible and get them recovered as quickly as possible.

“To cut costs, we have to keep patients moving,” she said during the morning session of Advocacy Day.

“I want to speak with my representative about healthcare reform,” said Mary Nuahn, a union member at Norwood Hospital who lives in Franklin, Massachusetts.

The day was a resounding success, with dozens of legislators being visited and reminded of the importance of protecting the voices and jobs of healthcare workers while maintaining excellent care in our facilities.

Cindy Bird from North Adams Regional Hospital summed up the day by telling other members that in order to be successful we have to make our priorities the top priorities of our legislators.

“We have to change the awareness of healthcare,” she said