Launched after Hurricane Maria made landfall six months ago, Operation Agua continues to serve as a lifeline for communities still without access to safe drinking water, and it is now more than 75 percent to its goal of bringing 100,000 water filters to Puerto Rico. Operation Agua has raised $1.75 million through crowdfunded donations and has delivered 54,000 Kohler Clarity water filters across the island, including to more than 1,100 public schools and tens of thousands of homes, churches and community centers. Based on funds on hand, 23,040 more filters will be heading to the island shortly.
Overcoming months of anti-union scare tactics, more than 350 respiratory therapists, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals in the technical unit at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, Ore., voted overwhelmingly to join the American Federation of Teachers-affiliated Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.
We loved this ode to RN Meg Tuttle in honor of her Lifetime Achievement award this year. Susan Shepard worked with Meg for years on the Oncology floor at Sunnyside and has made many contributions to our union in her own right.
On July 13th we reached our first agreement with management to improve staffing in the Urgent Care Centers by offering a double-time incentive for any extra shifts worked between Friday, July 14th and Saturday, August 26th.
No one should have to choose between seeking medical care and paying the rent — and no family should face financial ruin because of an illness or injury.
In my years as a nurse, I have seen what happens to patients who wait too long to see their doctor. Without timely care, their condition worsens and becomes more difficult and more expensive to treat.
In their rush to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell threaten to cut-and-run on Americans, reducing health care access for millions and driving up costs for the rest of us.