Planned Parenthood, Women's Health Issues, Nurses could rule the US

Nurses Activism

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With more than 3,000,000 nurses, yes that is 3 MILLION PLUS nurses in the US why aren't we ruling? Just think if every nurse emailed their representatives in government and told them to stop trying to block access to contraceptives, sexual education, and attempting to squash Planned Parenthood. Or donated 1, 10, or 100 dollars to the ANA PAC? Nurses votes ALONE could determine who is President. Even more important nurses can play a huge role in local politics, what are a few deciding for all at local school board meetings?

Doesn't it bother anyone else that the whole health care system was set up to benefit Drs and Hospitals, nurses were put in the bed charge because at the time when insurance companies and hospitals were developing nurses didn't matter and had no power. Why nursing care is not paid for directly (which would also make nursing the most revenue producer in a hospital rather than a revenue drain) Why chronic disease management by RN's is not reimburseable even though research shows its extremely effective. Blah blah blah, honestly after going on 27 years in nursing I feel like nothing has changed at all. Isn't it time we had a revolution?

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With more than 3,000,000 nurses, yes that is 3 MILLION PLUS nurses in the US why aren't we ruling? Just think if every nurse emailed their representatives in government and told them to stop trying to block access to contraceptives, sexual education, and attempting to squash Planned Parenthood. Or donated 1, 10, or 100 dollars to the ANA PAC? Nurses votes ALONE could determine who is President. Even more important nurses can play a huge role in local politics, what are a few deciding for all at local school board meetings?

Doesn't it bother anyone else that the whole health care system was set up to benefit Drs and Hospitals, nurses were put in the bed charge because at the time when insurance companies and hospitals were developing nurses didn't matter and had no power. Why nursing care is not paid for directly (which would also make nursing the most revenue producer in a hospital rather than a revenue drain) Why chronic disease management by RN's is not reimburseable even though research shows its extremely effective. Blah blah blah, honestly after going on 27 years in nursing I feel like nothing has changed at all. Isn't it time we had a revolution?

No one is trying to squash Planned Parenthood. The organization's funding has become self-sufficient without subsidization. Hence, spending could be used elsewhere for unsupported important areas. Also, I don't support Planned Parenthood in any way already, just because they lie to many women about the embryo growing inside them. I'm not trying to start an argument on abortion, but I am saying I don't support PP because they promote the killing of human beings.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
With more than 3,000,000 nurses, yes that is 3 MILLION PLUS nurses in the US why aren't we ruling? Just think if every nurse emailed their representatives in government and told them to stop trying to block access to contraceptives, sexual education, and attempting to squash Planned Parenthood.
So you believe that because we share a job title, we have the same political beliefs? Why is that?
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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Please don't assume that nurses are a monolith regarding any issue, let alone one as sensitive as abortion.

I have no desire to interfere with adult women obtaining contraceptive services, or minor children doing so within the guidelines of the law, but do not believe that it is morally acceptable to force a religious organization to violate it's own beliefs to pay for them, provide them, or commit murder in the eyes of religion by voluntarily terminating a viable pregnancy for any reason other than to save the life of the mother.

I would much prefer participating in a revolution in which the rights of helpless, defenseless unborn children were being represented.

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First I am not weighing in on abortion. I am pro choice, it is my belief but I understand that other people have the right to believe how they choose.What saddened me is when they start using politics to play with peoples lives. Planned parenthood provides low cost solutions for women and access to services they might not otherwise be able to afford. I don't have insurance bc I can't afford it. I am an lvn, who is a single parent with over 500$ in student loans. I make to much to qualify for free services, though I am lucky to have chip for my kid. So I have utilized their services bc I don't want another baby. I know that PP won't shut down bc komens has withdrawn money but, their reasoning I believe to be biased. They also give money to Penn state who is also under federal investigation. The head of Komens is a contributor to Republican campaigns. Republicans in general being pro life. It doesn't take rocket science to see the connection. I also hate to see support for breast cancer research and screening turned into pro life/choice.

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Specializes in ob.

Planned Parenthood is supposed to follow the rules and laws like anyone else. If the rule is that no organization being investigated gets Komen funds, I guess PP and PSU are out of luck until they are cleared. I worked for a large Catholic health Sytem years ago, several of their facilities have been under federal investigation. They would not get Komen monies either. Not too many people would be crying about that, but PP is a sacred cow to some. I think it is great to give contraception to women who need it most and can afford it the least. This is about breast Ca screenings and i suppose the $ will go to other groups. Hopefully women will get their screenings elsewhere and once PP is back in everyone's good graces, then if they can be considered for funding again. Whether you agree or disagree with some or all of PP's philosophy, they should be made to follow the rules. Don't even get me started about some of the poor care I have witnessed from a particular PP facility with several patients being hospitalized for complications due to PP's substandard care at this particular clinic. It has been many years, so I hope the providers at that location are now more skilled. The state I was in was very liberal and never went after the PP facility because they might be seen as anti-choice. As nurse we shoul all be pro-quality care whether we agree with PP's philosophy or not. unfortunately, as komen is a private group, I believe they can choose who they fund and who they choose not to fund.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
With more than 3,000,000 nurses, yes that is 3 MILLION PLUS nurses in the US why aren't we ruling? Just think if every nurse emailed their representatives in government and told them to stop trying to block access to contraceptives, sexual education, and attempting to squash Planned Parenthood. Or donated 1, 10, or 100 dollars to the ANA PAC?

Umm ... what if I don't want to support the ANA? (I don't, at all)

What if my priorities for governmental regulation of health care are not the same as yours, or the next nurse's?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

with more than 3,000,000 nurses, yes that is 3 million plus nurses in the us why aren't we ruling? just think if every nurse emailed their representatives in government and told them to stop trying to block access to contraceptives, sexual education, and attempting to squash planned parenthood. or donated 1, 10, or 100 dollars to the ana pac?

*** uh based on my observation of their policies and what they support i am under the impression that the ana is made up of people who hate nurses. certainly they are an enemy of working rns, why would we send them money?

nurses votes alone could determine who is president. even more important nurses can play a huge role in local politics, what are a few deciding for all at local school board meetings?

*** you have been a nurse for 27 years and still think that a bunch of nurses will agree about anything, much less politics?

doesn't it bother anyone else that the whole health care system was set up to benefit drs and hospitals, nurses were put in the bed charge because at the time when insurance companies and hospitals were developing nurses didn't matter and had no power. why nursing care is not paid for directly

*** yes! yes! yes!

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

Couldn't agree with you more Karen...I'm done with Susan G. Komen & have signed the petition. :rolleyes:

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One trip to the Government and Politics forum shows you why we won't be electing the next president. I like it that way, I would rather discuss differences than agree on absolutely everything. It helps us learn new things and makes life more interesting. :D

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
Also, I don't support Planned Parenthood in any way already, just because they lie to many women about the embryo growing inside them.

How does Planned Parenthood lie?

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

I knew when I read the post that everyone was going to harp on the Planned Parent Hood thing. The OP has a good point. With so many nurses in the United States, why hasn't the profession progressed more? I think there are states making headway, but not enough. What if our services were billed with the insurance companies? If so, we wouldn't be so spread thin with patient loads. This is a topic I see on AN quite a bit. So many people complain, yet those individuals lack action. I admit I am not part of the ANA or any other organization because I have not decided upon of which to become a member. However, I do know changes are made by numbers. Why do you suppose unions became heavy influencers in policy making and contract negotiations? Why do you think all of the crap rolls onto the nurses? We have yet to learn how to organize and rally effectively.

Steps in Making Policy.pdf

Strategic Plan.pdf

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