The American Nurses Association has has announced its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) for President in the 2008 election. The ANA has endorsed presidential candidates since 1984. The process includes inviting candidates to submit a questionnaire on nursing and health care issues and having a personal interview. ANA also considers the results of its online survey of members.
Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) addressed the ANA House of Delegates in June, 2008 and spoke about the need for real change to the U.S. health care system.
ANA President Rebecca M. Patton MSN, RN, CNOR, is urging nurses, who represent the largest faction of health care workers in the U.S., to work together to support Barack Obama for President. She has been quoted as saying, “working together, we can use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority, and make Barack Obama the next President of the United States.”
Obama has a history of advocacy for nurses by leading efforts in the Illinois state senate to improve the quality of health care and protect nurses.
Obama also co-sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate known as the the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act which includes limiting mandatory overtime for nurses except in true emergencies. If elected President, Obama has promised to sign this legislation into law. Read Barack Obama’s proposed health care plan. This plan supports the nursing profession.
No matter what your political affiliation, please be sure to REGISTER and VOTE in the upcoming election!
photo: BarackObama.com
One Comment
aja
This is exciting to hear. I strongly support Obama and his campaign, and to see the ANA backs him also if comforting. I’m glad that Obama wants to make an active change in our health care delivery system.