New York
nurse january/february 2015
the official publication of the new york state nurses association
Bargaining moves forward in New York City page 3 Lobby Day’s Coming! – April 21, p. 5
A leading voice at DSRIP panel, pp. 6-7
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New York Nurse january/february 2015
The people of New York need single payer By Judy SheridanGonzalez, RN, NYSNA President Testifying in Albany in support of the New York Health Act, a bill before the New York State Legislature to implement a single payer system, I shared overview from the perspective of an RN on this essential proposal. Here are some of those remarks:
N Advocating for patients. Advancing the profession.SM
Board of Directors President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN, MSN, FNP First Vice President Patricia DiLillo, RN, MEd Second Vice President Marva Wade, RN Secretary Anne Bové, RN, MSN, BC, CCRN, ANP Treasurer Patricia Kane, RN Directors at Large Anthony Ciampa, RN Ingred Denny-Boyce, RN, BSN, MSN Shirley Hunter, RN, MS Tracey Kavanagh, RN, BSN Colleen B. Murphy, RN, MS Grace Otto, RN, BA, BSN Sean Petty, RN, CPEN Karine M. Raymond, RN, MSN Veronica Richardson, RN Verginia Stewart, RN Regional Directors Southeastern Michael Healy, RN Southern Gwen Lancaster, RN, CCRN, MSN/Ed Central Carol Ann Lemon, RN Lower Hudson/NJ Eileen Letzeiser, RN, BSN, MPH Western Kris Powell, RN Eastern Martha Wilcox, RN Executive Editor Jill Furillo, RN, BSN, PHN Executive Director Editorial offices located at: 131 W 33rd. St., New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-785-0157 x 159 Email: communications@nysna.org Website: www.nysna.org Subscription rate: $33 per year ISSN (Print) 1934-7588/ISSN (Online) 1934-7596 ©2014, All rights reserved
urses are uniquely situated on the front lines of healthcare delivery. We see, hear, care for and suffer with our patients, at times intimately, as they navigate the system. Often we are the first voice a baby hears when she leaves the protection of her mother’s womb. We’re the last eyes into which a patient looks as he takes his final breath. We’re the reassuring voice and ear before surgery, and the reliever of pain afterwards. We’re the interpreter of medical jargon for people too shy to ask for an explanation. We’re the motivator when patients think they just cannot take another treatment.
engage in activities that allow private and for-profit insurers, marketing and accounting firms, consultants and analysts to make profits on the misfortunes of our patients. A healthcare system should be designed to provide the means for society to prevent illness to the extent possible, provide prompt care and interventions when necessary, facilitate access to the resources needed for healthy behaviors and to support research that discovers causes of disease, as well as best treatments and cures. The bottom line
Healthcare in our state now caters to the mushrooming insurance industry, burgeoning big Pharma, litigators of all stripes, and a marketing industry that serves as an umbrella for all of these. Bottom line: an indecent
this industry we see an age of unprecedented mega-mergers, with sharks throwing the little fish out of the pond. No more community hospitals, where you know who you are dealing with. Instead, we see more “one size fits all,” as merged healthcare entities takeover, often without regard to meeting community health needs. A factory? Because caregivers are on a treadmill of ever-increasing productivity requirements (the competition is out there!), rushing from patient to patient to meet quotas that Henry Ford would be shocked by. A casino? Because a majority of the population has to “bet” on whether or not they will need care. Deductibles, premiums, co-pays and co-insurance are so high that they actually provide a disincentive to seek medical insurance. By the time some people meet their deductibles, they find themselves choosing between bankruptcy and follow up. All of these indignities, and worse, could be avoided. Our
Taken off track
We are there for patients with our hearts and souls, and our patients know they can count on us to not only care for them, but to be there for them. But we can’t do it adequately in a dysfunctional healthcare system. The system is in such a state of chaos that we can hardly call it a system. Instead of directing our care towards patients and families, we are forced to accommodate private insurers and multiple and muddled reimbursement systems. We spend an inappropriate amount of time maneuvering within these obstacles to care in order to give our patients a chance to thrive. Much of what we are directed to do now is to
Nurses at the 2014 Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus weekend.
portion of healthcare dollars line the pockets of individuals who don’t care FOR people and don’t care ABOUT people. Healthier, happier, more productive
The components constitute an irrational payer system that has stealthily transformed healthcare into a cross between WalMart, an auto parts factory, and a casino. Why WalMart? Because to “capture the market” in
healthcare system could save money in the long run if you do the math. Our society would be better off, healthier, happier, more productive and peaceful. The New York Health Act would not be a panacea – nothing is. But it would be a firm and critically necessary beginning for a healthier New York. As nurses, we’re staunchly committed to tackle whatever challenges such a change in care delivery might present.
bargaining NYC update
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January/february 2015
Staten Island nurses hit the right note
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he 14 hospitals in bargaining in New York City continue to press demands. Patient safety is our top priority.
The multi-employer talks, involving four hospitals – Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York Presbyterian, St. Luke’s-
Roosevelt’s and Mt. Sinai Hospital, all in Manhattan – continue. At the same time, bargaining is underway at other facilities and actions in support are taking place very week. “Have a Heart”
On Staten Island, two NYC hospitals are in bargaining: Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC). In January, SIUH nurses walked-in on the executive suite, voicing demands to top managers to take bargaining more seriously (see photo, bottom). Nurses also raised health and safety issues at the walk-in. On February 12, SIUH nurses, joined by RUMC nurses and other supporters, held a Staten Island vigil and speak out. Safe staffing demands are proposed at both hospitals and an innovative campaign was launched to further those demands. It took shape in the form of “Have A [Heart], Staff Smart” signage (see photo, left). A song written and produced by NYSNA, “All About The Patients,” was performed at the vigil and became a hit with nurses and supporters. The videotaped version took off on the Internet. To listen go to www.youtube.com/ user/NYSNAvoices More actions in support of patient safety demands are planned.
Our ads – “not enough nurses” – appeared in neighborhoods around a number of hospitals in bargaining. Above are additional photos of the ads as seen on the Staten Island ferry.
ON THE COVER NYSNA quality patient care ad on the Staten Island ferry.
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New York Nurse january/february 2015
Ending healthcare disparities By Jill Furillo, RN, NYSNA Executive Director
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or many residents of New York State, zip code says more about health status than anything else. Life expectancy in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood is eleven years less than in Manhattan’s Murray Hill, just a few miles north. Hispanics, many of whom live in zip code-defined poverty, had the highest percentage of poor or fair health when compared with other ethnic groups, according to 2012 state data. Unwavering goal
YSNA’s N commitment to these fundamental goals is unwavering.
For that same year, looking at national data, poor women got mammograms at 66 percent the rate of middle or high income women. Privately-insured individuals were more likely to be screened for colon, breast and cervical cancer than Medicaid patients. The Affordable Care Act addresses some of these very significant healthcare inequalities; still, the enduring effects of healthcare delayed are predictable and often dire. Our efforts – in our care settings, as well as in research and in the field, at rallies and with state and local officials – have been directed at ending healthcare disparities and providing quality care for all New Yorkers. NYSNA’s commitment to these fundamental goals is unwavering. Our staffing campaign at its core is aimed at disparities: a statemandated ratios law would require appropriate staffing at all hospitals throughout NYS, providing uniform, quality standards for safe care. (Please join fellow members on April 21 in Albany for NYSNA’s Lobby Day; proposed legislation for staffing ratios, the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, tops our agenda. Be there!) There are other efforts underway to address disparities. On DSRIP funding, special monies for Medicaid to be distributed over the next five years, NYSNA has taken the lead in arguing that communities should have a prominent place in assessing need (see pages 6-7 for excerpts of testimonies at the
Our Facebook message of the Governor’s 2015 opportunity agenda, with State Senator Adriano Espaillat, June Joseph, RN (left), Lela Brooks, RN (right) and Gloria Simon, RN (far right), posed with Governor Andrew Cuomo. A room full of members and others watched the Governor’s speech at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
DSRIP panel). Fair and appropriate use of these funds for Medicaid patients would go a long way to helping provide quality care to communities in need. Community input is key to DSRIP success. Raising the minimum wage would also help reduce healthcare disparities (see my column, “Raising the minimum is a matter of public health,” in the June 2014 edition of New York Nurse). Paying wages that keep New Yorkers out of poverty is essential to public health and ending disparities. There has been positive movement in New York in this direction. Raises in the minimum wage
Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed raising the statewide minimum wage to $10.50 per hour by the end of 2016. For New York City, he has proposed raising the City’s minimum wage to $11.50. These higher wages would bring fodder to the fight against healthcare disparities.
There was more good news for wage earners recently. Governor Cuomo announced on February 24 that tipped workers – waiters, waitresses and others who work for tips in New York City – will receive a raise of their minimum wage to $7.50 an hour, to take effect at the end of the year. NY needs single payer
Another and very important route to the elimination of healthcare disparities in New York is through the creation of a single payer healthcare system, embodied in New York in legislation, the New York Health Act. (See NYSNA President Judy SheridanGonzalez’s column, page 2.) The legislation, once enacted, would replace the commercial insurance system with a single method of coverage for all state residents. It would operate as “Medicare for all,” providing a uniform system of provider payments. Single payer puts patient need first.
political action
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January/February 2015
NYSNA in tune with Black & Puerto Rican legislators
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he 44th Annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators was convened on February 14 in Albany with more than 100 NYSNA members representing our members from throughout the state. “Ending healthcare disparities” was this year’s Conference theme, a message that echoes the central tenet of our union. There were political functions, workshops and panels, and an opportunity overall to meet elected officials and staff on policy issues. Our message was clear and wellreceived: quality health care for all New Yorkers, patients over profits.
Congrats to the new Speaker
quality care to patients. With $8 billion in special Medicaid funds at issue in DSRIP over the next five years (see pages 6-7), we believe that an “Independent DSRIP Public Advocate” Office is very much needed to meet the stated goals of improving community health, improving the quality of healthcare and lowering per capita costs of providing healthcare to Medicaid, uninsured and dualeligible patients. On another front, we continue to work against for-profit ownership and private-equity investment in New York hospitals. Keeping profits out of hospitals in our state distinguishes our state from all others. NYSNA strongly opposes the introduction through the budget
Assemblyman Carl Heastie of the Bronx was formally elected by members as Speaker of the Assembly, the first person of color to serve in that role in the Legislature’s 238-year history. Bronx RNs had an opportunity to congratulate Speaker Heastie on his election and on keeping equality and healthcare atop the agenda. Discussions are well underway regarding New York State’s next budget. Here’s a snapshot of our budget priorities: We continue to press hard for passage of a law for safe staffing. Towards that end, NYSNA is calling for funding to conduct a study of registered nurse staffing patterns in New York NYSNA and all other unions representing RNs support the enactment of mandatory nurseto-patient ratios in New York to address chronic short-staffing. This matter is critical to providing safe,
NYSNA members participated in a “flash mob” on the Grand Concourse and formed a human heart, educating people to “Have A Heart – Staff Smart” while handing out Valentine’s Day candy hearts and heart-shaped safe staffing buttons and placards all day.
process of any proposal that directly or indirectly allows for-profit corporate ownership or privateequity capital investment in hospitals and other Article 28 healthcare providers. We must maintain our fundamental commitment to patients over profits. Keeping strong
Maintaining and strengthening Certificate of Need (CON) regulations continue to be in our sights. These are a critical underpinning of our efforts in the budgetary process. CON regulations provide protection for and integrity in the provision of healthcare. As a check on the power of increasingly concentrated and powerful healthcare
Speaker Heastie seen here in Albany on Caucus Weekend. With him are members, including Board Member Karine Raymond, RN, immediate left.
Continued on page 9
2015 NYSNA LOBBY DAY
TUESDAY, APRIL 21 | ALBANY Lobby for Safe Staffing & Healthcare for All! There’s a staffing crisis in New York. And hospital administrators and Wall Street are out to weaken nursing practice and patient care. Join nurses from across New York to raise the alarm in Albany at NYSNA’s 2015 Lobby Day. ✓ Tell lawmakers about the RN staffing emergency ✓ Stand up to defend and strengthen our nursing practice ✓ Speak up for NY Health, a law to guarantee healthcare for all New Yorkers Save your seat. Register today!
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New York Nurse
DSRIP
january/february 2015
NYSNA takes lead for patient
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ublic hearings critical to the future of special Medicaid funding in New York State – a total of $6.2 billion over five years – were held on February 17 in Albany. NYSNA was widely acknowledged to have played the central role in providing analysis and detail of the blueprint’s pro’s and con’s. DSRIP – the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program – is in final stages of evaluating 25 Performing Provider
I have a great deal of experience working with at-risk populations, often dependent on Medicaid. Recently St. Elizabeth Medical Center acquired property in the town of New Hartford and moved a number of outpatient services there, such as X-rays, and outpatient lab work. However, following the expansion, access to these services at the main hospital of St. Elizabeth’s – where they had traditionally been available – became more difficult for inner city patients to access. This kind of “expansion” is emblematic of the proposals in the application. – Ethel Mathis, RN, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica. Central NY PPS.
I want to take this opportunity before you today to focus on another dimension of this PPS application, for its implications to the nursing profession, to evidencebased standards, to professional disease management and better patient outcomes. I am talking about scope of practice. This has a basis in both the ethics of my profession and in the laws of the State of New York. In the details of this PPS there appears to be a very real prospect of a shift of care away from those with licensure to others whose skills and experience are not those of registered nurse. This application estimates a decrease in existing personnel of approximately 500, to be accompanied by a substantial amount of retraining. Does this serve the healthcare needs of patients and their communities? At the same time, the application indicates that there will be about 1,500 new positions required to implement DSRIP. What is unclear is how many of these new positions will require licensed registered nurses. Taken together, these shifts in personnel and the lack of clarity surrounding these proposals in the PPS can only raise
Systems (PPS), a determination that will result in first stages of the distribution of funds. Evaluations will be ongoing during DSRIP’s term. Most of the PPSs contain hospitals staffed by NYSNA members. This fact, as well as plans outlined in some of the PPS proposals that negatively impact RN scope of practice, were among criticisms referred to by NYSNA members in their testimonies. Here are excerpts from a number of testimonies presented to DSRIP members:
suspicions that our nurses’ scope of practice is the target. This would undercut the legitimacy of DSRIP in the context of the Community of Care PPS and threaten harm to patients. – Julie Semente, RN. Worked as a nurse in Brooklyn for more than 30 years. Community of Care PPS.
The Nassau Queens PPS is seeking exemptions or waivers on a range of practices, some related to restrictions on referrals and revenue sharing, others on licensing and co-locations for mental health and substance abuse services. These should be examined. – James Morgan, RN, Syosset Hospital, Syosset. Nassau Queens PPS
NYSNA supports these goals of DSRIP: Quality care for Medicaid patients, better health outcomes, reduction of unnecessary hospital usage. We want to work on these goals; we want to be integral to this process— planning, participating and integrating in close collaboration with community leaders and groups at every stage, for real improvements for our patients. Inequality is the most compelling issue of our time. On that short list of terrible wrongs-healthcare disparities stand out. Ending healthcare disparities is NYSNA’s top priority. I regret that so little time has been committed to public comment on DSRIP, a major commitment of billions of dollars of public money in an area of such critical concern and need: meeting the healthcare needs of New Yorkers. Why so little outreach to the public over the last weeks and months, so little explanation and engagement? Transparency, public review and input, as put forward by CMS and New York State, were promised. I do not believe that promise has been kept. I would ask in behalf of NYSNA, our patients and the many public health advocates with whom we interact: more public comment is imperative. NYSNA is vigilant in the protection of our patients. We are prepared with other patient advocates, public health experts, other unions and community organizations to re-orient DSRIP away from those seeking to profit from it. A single payer system is very much on the agenda of many in our state- patients, legislators, city officials, unions, including NYSNA, consumer groups and public health experts. Its results are evidence-based, and in many countries single payer systems are achieving better healthcare outcomes, while demonstrating cost efficiency at the same time. This is consistent with the stated goals of DSRIP and should be high on this body’s agenda.
We very process a patients, care per p As wit brought t attention NYSNA v funds to in DSRIP. I woul of those be expan Too much dollars of in Albany – An NY Ne
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January/february 2015
ts and community at DSRIP
Access to high quality care is grounded upon two principles: What is clinically appropriate and what is evidence-based. We are here, as nurses, to make certain that both of these principles are at work in the DSRIP process, to assure that all decisions have an empirical basis and that funds reach real need. It is well within our combined abilities – organizational and political – to make DSRIP work. To that end, nurses will monitor this process closely and intervene when necessary. It would appear that that necessity is upon us. – Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, RN and President of the Board of Directors, NYSNA. Montefiore Hospital, Bronx.
ery much want to play a meaningful role in the DSRIP and share the goals of improved quality care for Medicaid improving actual health outcomes and lowering costs of patient by reducing unnecessary hospital usage. th all applications, we urge that the community be to the table and all decisions be carried out with careful n to needs. In this way, DSRIP can fulfill its mission. very much shares this mission of utilizing these Medicaid address real community need and wants an active role . ld also urge, as a NYSNA board member and on behalf who could not attend today, that these public hearings nded and dates set in New York City for additional time. h is riding on this critical funding effort, in the billions of f public money, to limit public comment to a single day y. nthony Ciampa RN and Member, Board of Directors, YSNA. New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. ew York and Presbyterian Hospital PPS.
We support DSRIP and its stated goals and very much want to work with you to make sure that communities in need receive this critical funding. Our public hospitals care for one in six New York City residents, almost one and a half million patients a year. Our doors are open to anyone in need of care – no matter their condition, no matter their immigration status, no matter their ability to pay. No matter. DSRIP is so important to funding the communities we serve, as Medicaid is the foundation of funding for this patient population. Across the board, in all the units of all the public hospitals, Medicaid recipients receive the care essential to their health. On this basis, we believe that our PPS deserves substantial DSRIP funding. One concern we have is that the diffusion of DSRIP funding through the use of a very wide and liberal interpretation of qualified “safety net” providers allows funds to be diverted to entities that neither merit nor need the DSRIP subsidy. Another concerns is that a PPS system that includes non-public entities might end
up shifting patient care to private or forprofits providers and raise questions about meeting legal obligations of HHC. ... Finally, we urge that any effort to interfere with nurses’ scope of practice undercuts our professionalism at the expense of patient care, and falls outside the law. – Cecilia Jordan, RN and Director, NYSNA HHC/Mayorals
There are concerns that amidst ... expansion Westchester Medical Center’s public mission may be diluted. The expansion was accomplished with little to no public input and DSRIP should scrutinize the PPS on these grounds. The PPS is seeking to waive Certificate of Need requests, including requests to decertify beds. At hospitals in Kingston and Port Jervis, under the Westchester umbrella, efforts are underway to decertify beds, which will have a significant impact on these communities. Major shifts in workforce are also proposed in the PPS. One-fifth of the staff in the PPS will be degraded, which can only undercut quality patient care. Scope of nursing practice issues are also implicated in the PPS, as there may be plans to have non-nurses carry out jobs that now belong to RNs. Eliminating RNs does away with professional care and has a profound impact on quality care. – Jayne Cammisa, RN. Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla. Westchester Medical Center PPS.
As an ER nurse, I have a firsthand perspective on the entry point for healthcare services for many patients that are dependent upon Medicaid. Our ER is generally overflowing with patients in hallways, excessive wait times, and generally not enough nurses to always provide the proper timely care. On top of this, a large percentage of the patients are dependent upon Medicaid for accessing healthcare, yet the ER is still their entry point. Meanwhile, those who are in need of actual emergency care, have to contend with receiving care in this environment. Improvements are needed, clearly. Yet they must not come at the expense of our patients, or quality care delivered by trained RNs like myself. – Mike Pattison, RN, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica. Mohawk Valley PPS and the Central NY PPS.
I regularly see patients who are Medicaid dependent and still cannot afford all of their necessary medications. They tell me stories of having to make the hard decisions of buying medications or having to pay their rent. I have even seen patients whose failure to take their meds results in heart attacks or other serious conditions – resulting in unnecessary hospital admissions. Thus we very much welcome DSRIP and hope, with your attention and input from our communities, we can work together for more access to healthcare and better outcomes. The PPS failed to conduct a thorough or realistic analysis of the impact on employees who are to be redeployed or retrained, other than to offer an estimate that 55% of the workforce will need to be retrained. A fair amount of additional information, detail and focus is required to bring this application to completion. – Mary Thompson, RN, Utica. Mohawk Valley PPS.
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HHC
january/february 2015
’No, no, no‘ to for-profit takeover at HHC dialysis clinics
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Dialysis patients, NYSNA members and staff and supporters outside the NYS Department of Health hearing room in Manhattan on February 12, 2015. Another “no” vote was recorded that day, halting efforts by for-profit Big Apple Dialysis from taking over four HHC dialysis clinics.
he application by Big Apple Dialysis Management, LLC, to the NYS Department of Health to purchase chronic dialysis patient services and equipment at four HHC hospitals has been stopped three times. Patients, nurses, doctors, public health experts, public health unions and community advocates have persisted in a campaign to protect patient care. To do so, we must continue to press to keep the HHC dialysis clinics within the public system where patient care is outstanding. Over the course of a year, during which the company’s “competence” to run the clinics – the legal standard of the NYS Department of Health – was under consideration, some members of the state review committees were unconvinced that Big Apple Dialysis’ poor mortality ratings (adjusted death rates) were acceptable. Twenty-five percent of Big Apple Dialysis’ dialysis clinic operations were rated at a poor level of care. In fact, they were in the bottom 10 percent of all dialysis clinics in the U.S. in terms of patient mortality. In contrast, the HHC clinics up for sale, at Kings County, Lincoln, Harlem and Metropolitan hospitals, all have good-to-excellent ratings on this critical measure of patient mortality. The question has persisted: Why would HHC replace a clinic system with good performance and outcomes with one of significantly lower quality? And why would the state okay this change? The first “no” vote
Important HHC agreement, see page 10.
On January 30, 2014, the Committee on Establishment and Project Review of the NYS Department of Health Public Health and Health Planning Council failed to approve the Big Apple Dialysis deal. This was the first “no” vote. “Death rates” were discussed among Committee members and further review and investigation ordered. A considerable record was developed in the ensuing months, in which NYSNA presented govern-
New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, center, testified about patient concerns and called for more information at the January 29, 2015 hearing.
NYS Department of Health on matters of sales and transfers of healthcare entities, met. Acting without a recommendation from the committee, which had failed to recommend the sale, a lengthy discussion among Council members took place. At this proceeding, a letter was shared and discussed. Signed by no Two more “no” votes fewer than 20 nephrologists in the A year later, on January 29, 2015, HHC system, these kidney specialists called for a vote against Big at the next meeting of the state Apple Dialysis. The MDs cited the review committee, more informaneed for a “more rigorous examination was presented, including new tion of data” and expressed their testimony from Anne Bové, RN concerns about “remain[ing] true and President, NYSNA’s HHC/ to both our high stanMayorals Executive dard of patient care Council. “We have and the mission of provided more details HHC.” and expert support to Again, Big Apple this Committee on the Dialysis failed to musserious deficiencies of ter enough support Big Apple Dialysis,” for its purchase of the Bové testified. On this HHC clinics. A third date, several committee “no” vote was recordmembers raised pointed ed, as the needed votes concerns about the Anne Bové, RN fell short. mortality outcomes at The Council ordered its staff Big Apple Dialysis. Public Advocate to carry out an investigation of Letitia James was there, as well, to the relative mortality rates and to testify regarding her objections. She report back at another hearing, to reminded the committee that her be held on May 21, 2015. office’s requests for mortality data But in our view the Council on mortality had not been met. She already has a comprehensive study urged that the information be preof mortality and other outcomes at sented to her and to the New York HHC and Big Apple Dialysis clinCity Council. ics, as well as letters from doctors Again, the state committee failed and other experts with supporting to give Big Apple the go-ahead. analysis and conclusions. Further This was a second “no” vote. On February 12, 2015, the Public delay only raises suspicions, as the search for a way around another Health and Health Policy Council, “no” vote goes on. the paramount authority at the ment data on mortality and hospitalizations with support from top experts in the field. These findings provided clear and compelling evidence of the superior outcomes at the HHC units as compared to Big Apple’s on several measures, including all-important death rates.
steward’s corner
NEW YORK NURSE January/february 2015
Building member leadership
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or ten years Thea Sherlock, RN, has provided oncology care at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in West Park, NY. “The safety of our patients comes first,” she says. At Vassar’s Med/Surg, all oncology patients are cared for – before, during and after chemotherapy. There are major reconstructions; some patients are hospice bound. Thea took her focus on patients, coupled with a commitment to fellow members and a desire to strengthen NYSNA inside her facility, and signed up for NYSNA’s Steward Training. “A steward’s voice is needed,” she says.
One area of concern to Thea: increased reliance on high-tech electronic records. She sees the prospect of confusion and misplaced records. “We cannot allow patients to get lost in the electronic shuffle,” she warns. Staffing issues
Above all, Thea sees pervasive understaffing as the most critical problem at Vassar. “All units have staffing issues.” Steward Training helps her frame issues, allows for interactions with others seeking these leadership roles and builds confidence in communication skills.
Thea Sherlock, RN
#OOMPH for Katy Tracey Kavanaugh, RN and NYSNA Board Member, who works at Flushing Hospital, has a special appeal posted on NYSNA’s Facebook: OomphforKaty is a campaign dedicated to providing support for our dear friend, Katy, as she underwent her third double-lung transplant. Katy told a friend once, “...knowing people who aren’t directly connected to me, are rooting for me, gives me the extra oomph I need when battling the unknown
waters.” We are here to offer her the encouragement, friendship and extra OOMPH she deserves while
Katy Starck-Monte
she gets better. So, post your personal #OOMPHFORKATY pic on social media and let’s give her that extra OOMPH she deserves!
Tracey Kavanaugh, RN
NYSNA in tune with Black and Puerto Rican legislators Continued from page 5
delivery systems, CON regulations are the source of real public oversight of healthcare services. NYSNA is calling for vigilance in the protection of quality of care and the practice of nursing. We strongly oppose any initiative seeking to change nurse practice regulations or standards through the budget process. Proposed changes to the Nurse Practice Act (Higher Education Law Sections 69016912) can have significant repercussions on the practice of nursing, the quality of patient care and on patient outcomes and safety. We stand behind efforts to increase funding to establish regional health improvement collaboratives by strongly supporting
the concept of regional planning bodies. These would provide democratic input into the determination of local healthcare needs and enable a planning process for the allocation of healthcare resources. Using a financial transaction tax on stocks to fund healthcare is also on our agenda. NYSNA supports the implementation of the Stock Transfer Tax (Article 12 of the Tax Law). Revenue from this tax on stock transactions should be directed at improving access to and quality of healthcare. NYSNA supports adequate levels of funding for nursing education programs, given the ongoing expectation that the nursing shortage will be a continuing problem in New York.
The Nurse Family Partnership program pairs nurses with highrisk pregnant women in order to provide in-home training, education and assistance to expectant mothers in an effort to promote the health of the woman and the infant during the pregnancy and continuing up to age two. We endorse this important and effective effort. NYSNA supports increased financial assistance to local health departments to expand the scope of coordinated public health nursing programs at the municipal and county level. We are calling for support for Ebola/Infectious disease training and preparedness and for funding to support healthcare workers providing Ebola care in Western Africa.
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New York Nurse january/february 2015
New York Health Act progresses
T Long Island members meet Twenty-two members from Long Island met at their first interregional for 2015 recently. Among the agenda items, was how to utilize POAs more effectively in contract campaigns. Bargaining is forthcoming at three Catholic Health Services system hospitals: St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage, St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, and St. Catherine Hospital in Smithtown. North Shore Southside Hospital is in bargaining and its progress was also discussed. All nurses at the inter-regional renewed their commitment to help pass the safe staffing bill, Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act.
NY Methodist nurses protect Brooklyn patients ECMC member leader training Several of the 20 newly-elected nurse leaders at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo during a leader training session on March 3. Pictured, left to right: Kevin Donovan, RN; Ray Rebmann, RN; Gina Snyder, RN (seated); Derek DeYoung, RN; and Cathy Bystrak, RN.
New York Methodist nurses are determined to ensure that every patient is delivered the highest quality care in the safe patient care environment possible. Since engaging in an informational picket in December (see photos, below), these RNs have been seeking enforcement of safe staffing guidelines upheld by an independent arbitrator. Efforts continue to reach a resolution on the number of RN hires needed to comply with the arbitration award.
he New York Health Act, that would implement a single payer system for New York State, passed the NY Assembly Health Committee on February 26. The vote was 15-3 among Democrats, with one excused absence. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried has spearheaded the single payer movement in the State Assembly for many years and has proved to be an enduring champion of this important law. Gottfried’s support of NYSNA and its legislative agenda is critical in Albany. Next up for this legislation: the Codes Committee where there will be a vote that determines the precise route the bill is to take.
NYSNA achieves HHC Foreign Experience Pay agreement
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n January 28, 2015, the New York State Nurses Association and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation achieved an important agreement on foreign experience pay. Below are excerpts setting out how HHC shall credit foreign experience. Please contact your rep for further information and explanation.
NEW YORK NURSE
in brief
January/february 2015
Mary Bell-Downes, RN, honored NYSNA members who attended the annual Labor Luncheon on February 14 in Albany joined in the congratulations for our member Mary BellDownes, RN, of Kings County Hospital for her years of dedicated service to the Brooklyn community. State Senator Jose Peralta, left, and Rev. Terry Melvin, NYS AFL-CIO SecretaryTreasurer, right, were there with her.
Karine Raymond, RN, at Black and Puerto Rican Legislators luncheon NYSNA Board Director Karine Raymond, RN, spoke to a full room on February 14, thanking the legislators and staff present and addressing healthcare disparities. “We must end healthcare disparities. We must provide every New Yorker access to quality healthcare. Regardless of socioeconomic status,” she said. Raymond called for special attention to the DSRIP process. “DSRIP guidelines call for community and worker representatives’ participation,” she said. “Our nurses, as well as public health experts, other labor unions, patients and community representatives are doing just that: they are testifying, engaging in outreach and bringing to DSRIP decision makers our informed views on how to provide healthcare to the people – at hospitals, clinics, doctors offices and homecare.”
Happy New Year!
NYSNA joins Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatown NYSNA joined the festivities at the 6th Annual China-town Lunar New Year Parade & Festival on February 22. The parade participants totaled more than 5,000 and featured elaborate floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances galore, Asian
musicians, magicians, acrobats and procession by local organizations. NYSNA is an active part of the lower-Manhattan community, joining other healthcare workers, union members and community organizations in the celebrations.
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NEW YORK NURSE
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID L.I.C., NY 11101 Permit No. 1104
january/February 2015
131 West 33rd Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10001
INSIDE
NYSNA takes a leading role in DSRIP, pp. 6-7
2015 NYSNA LOBBY DAY TUESDAY APRIL 21 ALBANY see p. 5
Members from across the state at Legislative Conference in Albany, p. 5