Guaranteed Healthcare

By Donna Smith 

ROCHESTER, New York -- On a gorgeous fall day in New York state, nurses of the National Nurses Organizing Committee and the California Nurses Association brought the healthcare report card bus into Rochester for more education and outreach to voters who are watching their own ability to afford healthcare and access appropriate care wane. Though a brisk breeze was blowing, the bright sun and vibrant fall colors framed the day with natural beauty.

Citizens gathered to talk about their own struggles and to listen to RN Geri Jenkins, CNA/NNOC Council of Presidents.  One young couple stood patiently waiting to meet Geri, and Geri learned a great deal from the couple about the issues America's veterans face in when they return home with injuries.  One such veteran, William Reynolds of Rochester, was injured in November 2004 while serving in the U.S. Army in Baghdad, Iraq. (and read more on the next page as well)

Geri was anxious to share time with William and his wife Cassandra as the young couple participated in a day devoted to talking about veterans' health issues that was sponsored by Congressional candidate Eric Massa of New York.  Eric is one of CNA/NNOC's "healthcare heroes" for the 2008 election cycle because of his support of HR676, single payer, publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare for all.

William recounted the terrible injury he suffered -- his left leg was left fused at the knee after shrapnel from an IED (improvised explosive device) ripped through his body as he served with his unit in Iraq. His life-threatening injuries required multiple surgeries and on-going therapy, and now William is devoting much of his time to speaking up for other injured vets and making sure they can access the care they need.

Across the street, the nurses found co-workers James Ross and Chris Honeywell busy preparing for a benefit to raise money for an ill friend -- 44 year-old Tim Mullany of Rochester, who gave up his job as a cook at the popular Rochester restaurant after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.  "We just have to help him.  He has bills and expenses," said his friends. They hoped to raise $1,000 for their buddy.

Everywhere the bus went, not only were the nurses attending community events and spreading the word about single payer reform, they also heard story after story from people hurting for a more humane and just healthcare system.  And the RNs listened to every story and gave dignity to every voice. 

As the afternoon wound down, the road show crew split up to visit two separate community events.  One group went to talk with Congressional candidate Kathy Dahlkemper in Erie, Pennsylvania, who is committed to safe patient ratios for RNs and who is working hard to win her race. The stop was a great opportunity for RNs to educate surrounding healthcare reform and to show off the marvelous bus carrying the healthcare report card for the presidential race.

The other group of road show RNs and civilians like me sat on a panel for an informational healthcare forum held at a church in Rochester, spoke with four local television stations about healthcare reform and then made their way to a forum on veterans' issues being conducted by candidate Eric Massa. Standing on the dais with such military heroes as Major General John Batiste and Georgia's own veteran and military hero Max Cleland, CNA's board secretary Jan Rodolfo delivered the moving message of the RNs' support of healthcare for all and their unwavering support of the men and women serving our nation now and in the past.

As the warm fall sun set in the hills above Canandaigua, New York, the break-away group made their way back to join the bus crew by now well on their way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  On a day that began in Rochester after breakfast, continued in four separate locations in New York and Pennsylvania before dark, and ended after midnight for many, the RN battleground state road show continues to reach thousands of people who know that their nurses speak the truth about healthcare issues when many others may have motivations for doing otherwise.  The nurses' vision for healthcare seemed a perfect match with the physical beauty along our route on Sunday. Everybody in, nobody out.