Hillary Clinton talks with AFT nurses in New Jersey

A group of 25 healthcare professionals, including nurses who are AFT members, got the chance to meet Hillary Clinton when the candidate stopped by the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, N.J., on May 11. The center is part of Cooper University Health Care.

The group spoke with Clinton about the important work they do and about broader issues such as the Affordable Care Act, staffing ratios and mental health care. "If we're going to have a comprehensive system of care in the country, then we need a holistic approach," Clinton said. She added that the purpose of the ACA "was to save money and have better health outcomes. I intend to expand on those successes."

The New Jersey nurses liked what they heard from the candidate.

"Hillary has been advocating for and helping women and children her entire career," said Mary Teitjen, a nurse at Bergen Regional Medical Center. "She speaks from the heart."

"She will be able to get things done." said Sean Dexter, a nurse at Cooper University Medical Center.

Pam Reinhardt, a nurse at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, asked Clinton about the importance of staffing legislation—a long-standing AFT priority—and the critical role nurses play in patients' recovery. "Right now, there are too few nurses for too many patients," Reinhardt said. Clinton responded that "this is something I would like to work with you on at the federal level."

The conversation also touched on addiction and mental health. "We don't adequately treat addiction," Doris Bell, a nurse and president of the AFT local at the Cooper University Medical Center, told Clinton. "We need more money allocated to metal health and substance abuse, and importantly, to addiction recovery."

Another a nurse shared her personal story of having a son with schizophrenia and the stigma associated with mental illness. Just by telling her story, Clinton said, "you have helped chip away at the stigma."

The nurses talked about why it's important for them and other healthcare professionals to get involved in the political process. Part of the goal is to educate elected officials about their work. "In order to have all you need to do your job effectively, we need support of our politicians," Reinhardt said. "We need to be able communicate that to them. It's amazing what they don't know."

Barbara Rosen, secretary-treasurer of the AFT's Health Professionals and Allied Employees affiliate, noted that "it's important that we take this election seriously, and not take it for granted. Too much is at stake!"

[Christopher Mattingly, Dan Gursky]