With less than 10 days notice, nurses from around Chicago descended on the Health and Human Services Committee hearing of our IL Ratio Bill HB 0012.
Nine nurses testified, speaking eloquently and from the heart about how unsafe staffing is hurting their patients. Many more were prepared to testify had we had more time. Iraq Veterans Against the War spoke about the successful joint the fight to get 40 FTEs posted at Jess Brown VA. Bill Bianchi from PDA spoke about untimely death of his mother in law – that he attributes to inadequate staffing. Illinois Nurses Association (four nurses), Access Living and IL Single Payer were also present to support the bill. The Hospital Association and Nurse Executive witnesses made false assertions and lame calls for flexibility which nurses discounted eloquently. Rep Mary Flowers also spoke as a strong advocate for nurses and patients.
All in very successful day in Illinois!
