A nurse speaks out: We need Medicare for All!

Latest

Rally and “die-in” in support of Medicare for All in San Francisco. Thousands of people in the U.S. die each year because they lack health insurance.
PHOTO/PEGGY ELWELL

 
LOS ANGELES, CA — I’ve been a nurse for 12 years. I work in Long Beach in medical/surgical assignments. I work with all systems as an emergency room nurse. Most of my patients are diabetics. In our community care is good; patients come from all over Long Beach and even some from Los Angeles. The issue is people only come in when they’re sick because they can’t afford doctors, medical care, or medicine. They’re in bad health and we’ll see the same patients come back again into the emergency room. Diabetes affects everything in their body. Patients in our neighborhoods don’t have access to good food! There are no markets in their neighborhood and good food is expensive, so they rely on the $1meal at McDonald’s.
Obama Care, the Affordable Care Act, is not a good system. More people are covered under Obamacare, but our hospital moves people out quicker! In the morning, we have meetings about what we, as nurses, can do to get people out quicker. This is a dilemma for us because the license we get from California is based on protecting our patients. Obama Care also meant fewer ancillary people. With Obama Care, all hospitals are pressured into going electronic which means the nurses spend a lot more time at the computer.
At my hospital we have a union, the California Nurses Association and we are behind Medicare for All. We showed up at Anthony Rendon’s (Speaker of the California Assembly) office and we went to the Assembly to plead for Medicare for All. When Rendon blocked AB 562 from a vote in the Assembly, I couldn’t believe that a Democrat and a resident of the 63rd Assembly District could vote against such a health care bill. There are a lot of poor areas in the 63rd district, a lot of problems and Rendon is aware of this. His blocking of Medicare for all was shameful.
Therefore, I support Maria Estrada for the 63rd Assembly district in the California primary this March. Rendon is beholden to corporations in this district. They are some of his major contributors.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Undocumented Families Are Fighting for Our Future. Will You Join Us?

'As an undocumented mother, I can’t help but worry for my son’s safety first. As an organizer, my worry turns to resolve.'

Fighting for Climate, Students Walk Out Over Trump

"[The student nationwide] walkouts represent a call to action for both parties," said Sunrise Youth Movement, a group that advocates for political action on climate change.

‘Organize Like Our Lives Depend On It Because They Do’

'There are no winners here, because we are all bound by our nation’s refusal to confront its own soul. This fight is not over; it’s only beginning,' says Director of Los Angeles Skid Row organization, LA CAN.

Where Do We Go From Here: It Does Matter

Those of us who have a history of being on the front lines knew this moment was coming and we’re telling ourselves it is not the time to fatigue out! We know either way it lands, that it’s in our laps and we need all boots on the ground.

Pregnant Teen Died: Seeks Care in Three Texas Emergency Rooms

Nevaeh Crain cried in pain, too weak to walk, blood staining her thighs. Vomiting and feverish at her baby shower, the teen went to two different emergency rooms, returning home, worse than before. Pregnant women have become untouchables.

More from the People's Tribune