Editor's
Note
Your voice,
your vote
Nurses
can change the health care system at the polls
Carol Bradley, MSN,
RN, California Editor
September
11, 2000
In the
November election, I hope that every one of California’s
250,000 nurses votes and that their choices reflect what
will ensure a better future for health care.
We should
consider ourselves a special interest group, as nurses know
better than anyone the problems that plague our health care
delivery system and their relationship with larger social
issues such as crime and poverty. Who else will vote with
health care as a top priority if we don’t? The question
is whether the solutions lie with our elected leaders and
the federal government or with us. I tend to think that
it is a combination of all of the above.
I have
an old bumper sticker that reads, "One of 44 voters
is a nurse." I wonder if that is true today. I sense
that nurses are more politically active than the general
public, as we are exposed to those with the greatest need
in our communities. It seems to me that those who need the
most tend to present the greatest challenge to nurses.
When
I think about the choices before me as a voter, it is my
perspective as a nurse, mother and working woman that shapes
my views on health care, education and the economy. It is
hard to believe that the American public would not capitalize
on this time of relative prosperity to address some of the
problems that are all too common in our world today. I hope
our federal government is not satisfied with our health
care delivery system.
So when
you go to the polls, will you be voting for health care?
Here are some health care issues to consider on your way
to the voting booth. From my personal perspective a candidate’s
policies should:
As always,
California and its large number of electoral votes will
play a big role in the national election.
So regardless
of your political persuasion or whether you agree with my
list, vote. Make your own list, go to the polls and make
sure your vote counts.
