New York’s Largest Nurses' Union Endorses Bailey for Senate

From New York State Nurses' Association:

NEW YORK, NY – The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), as an extension of the work fighting for quality and affordable patient care for all New Yorkers, endorsed Jamaal Bailey in the Democratic Primary race for the 36th District in the New York State Senate. NYSNA – which represents more than 40,000 registered nurses throughout the state – has led the fight to ensure safe staffing standards in hospitals and nursing homes, safeguarding community hospitals and ensuring health care access in every community in New York.

“Given the current state of healthcare in New York, this legislative session may prove to be crucial in the fight for access to quality care for all New Yorkers – from Buffalo to Brooklyn,” said Marva Wade, RN, Chair of the NYSNA Political Action Committee (PAC). “Jamaal has demonstrated a commitment to embrace NYSNA's agenda, not only around healthcare, but to address the tragedy of income inequality. Electing a more progressive legislature is the first step toward the passage of necessary legislation to address these ongoing crises in our state. Our members enthusiastically endorse his campaign.”

Upon receiving the endorsement, Jamaal Bailey said: “I am honored to receive the support of the New York State Nurses Association. Nurses are the personification of care and compassion, and those are qualities I value, and will exude if elected to the New York State Senate. I have stood with them as a District Leader, and I look forward to working with them as a Senator to serve the residents of the 36th District."

Over the last several years, NYSNA has led groundbreaking campaigns to improve the lives of New York’s most vulnerable patients. Most notably, NYSNA created a powerful coalition in partnership with community, faith, and advocacy groups to stop the dangerous tide of hospital cuts and closures in underserved communities. As a founding member of the NY Campaign for Patient Safety, NYSNA lead a diverse coalition of labor unions, patient advocacy and political groups around the state to fight for passage of the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” which sets a maximum amount of patients that one nurse can care for at all times.

Image courtesy of the New York State Nurses Association