Community and 1199SEIU caregivers remain steadfast in campaign to stop the closure of #NARH
** STATEMENT BY VERONICA TURNER, 1199SEIU EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT **
“The restraining order issued to maintain emergency access is evidence that community and healthcare worker voices are making a difference. Healthcare workers are steadfast in our position that North Adams and the surrounding towns require a fully operational, full service hospital.
Medicaid underpayments and the chronic disparities in how different hospitals are paid for the same quality of services in our state have been key challenges for community hospitals statewide, including North Adams Regional Hospital (For statewide analysis re: Medicaid underpayments, see the latest study posted at healthcarequality.org.
However, it is also increasingly clear that NARH executives and board members have failed to be transparent with the community as this crisis has unfolded. The haste with which executives and board members have handled the situation has compounded an already difficult set of circumstances, but their irresponsible actions will not dampen the community’s resolve.
Actions and statements by NARH executives and board members make clear that moving forward, if or when a solution to the current crisis is found, the community needs a stronger voice in the operation and fiscal stewardship of this vital healthcare resource.
The public health crisis created by the threatened closure is not over and our advocacy to Governor Patrick and Attorney General Coakley continues this morning as more and more community support builds for this cause. Winning a court order to keep the doors open is an incredibly significant and positive first step. Caregivers ask supporters to please continue sending your message to state officials by visiting StopTheClosure.org.
The commitment level amongst the community and caregivers to protecting healthcare access in North County remains high. A solution simply must be found. Access to quality emergency and preventative services is a matter of life and death and now policymakers have bought some time to figure out a much-needed solution to this crisis.”
- Veronica Turner, Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
Note: Nearly 200 healthcare workers at North Adams Regional Hospital are members of 1199SEIU.
# # #
Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
** STATEMENT BY VERONICA TURNER, 1199SEIU EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT **
“The restraining order issued to maintain emergency access is evidence that community and healthcare worker voices are making a difference. Healthcare workers are steadfast in our position that North Adams and the surrounding towns require a fully operational, full service hospital.
Medicaid underpayments and the chronic disparities in how different hospitals are paid for the same quality of services in our state have been key challenges for community hospitals statewide, including North Adams Regional Hospital (For statewide analysis re: Medicaid underpayments, see the latest study posted at healthcarequality.org.
However, it is also increasingly clear that NARH executives and board members have failed to be transparent with the community as this crisis has unfolded. The haste with which executives and board members have handled the situation has compounded an already difficult set of circumstances, but their irresponsible actions will not dampen the community’s resolve.
Actions and statements by NARH executives and board members make clear that moving forward, if or when a solution to the current crisis is found, the community needs a stronger voice in the operation and fiscal stewardship of this vital healthcare resource.
The public health crisis created by the threatened closure is not over and our advocacy to Governor Patrick and Attorney General Coakley continues this morning as more and more community support builds for this cause. Winning a court order to keep the doors open is an incredibly significant and positive first step. Caregivers ask supporters to please continue sending your message to state officials by visiting StopTheClosure.org.
The commitment level amongst the community and caregivers to protecting healthcare access in North County remains high. A solution simply must be found. Access to quality emergency and preventative services is a matter of life and death and now policymakers have bought some time to figure out a much-needed solution to this crisis.”
- Veronica Turner, Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
Note: Nearly 200 healthcare workers at North Adams Regional Hospital are members of 1199SEIU.
# # #
Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
